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NFL News: Raiders Sign Cooper, Smith Out of Knee Brace and More

Jonathan Cooper Raiders
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

With offensive guard Richie Incognito suspended for two games (at least for now) of the 2019 season, the Oakland Raiders have decided to add a little insurance to their pass-blocking unit. The team signed former first round pick Jonathan Cooper.

Cooper started four games for the Washington Redskins last season and has bounced around the league, playing for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys since the Arizona Cardinals decided to cut bait with him after the 2015 season. He was drafted at No. 7 in the 2013 NFL draft out of North Carolina.

Smith no longer in knee brace

It what could potentially be good news for the Washington Redskins, quarterback Alex Smith is out of his knee brace for the first time since suffering a devastating broken leg on Nov. 19 in a game against the Houston Texans.

“The last 8 months have been nothing short of crazy,” Smith’s wife Alex wrote on her Instagram. “Although it’s not over, today is a big milestone. We are shedding the weight Alex has been carrying (literally and figuratively). It’s one step closer to the goal. The resilience, determination and mental fortitude of this man is unmatched.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8eie8pKds/

Smith was in the midst of another solid pro season when the injury occurred. He played in 10 games for the Redskins, compiling a 6-4 record with a 62.5 completion percentage, 2,180 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Smith still plans to come back to the NFL, though there’s no official timetable for that. He’s been throwing with the other Washington quarterbacks this offseason. The Redskins drafted Dwayne Haskins out of Ohio State in the first round of April’s draft and traded for Case Keenum to compete for the starting QB job this season. Colt McCoy and Josh Woodrum fill out the Washington depth chart.

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Written by Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a writer and photographer based out of East Tennessee. His work has appeared on Cracked.com, in USA Today, the Associated Press, the Chicago Cubs Vineline Magazine, AskMen.com and many other publications.

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