Wide receiver Amari Cooper was nearly shut down in December with a foot injury by Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie.
The Raiders were in the playoff race until the final two weeks of the regular season.
McKenzie told SiriusXM NFL Radio that the Raiders ultimately came away very impressed with Cooper’s ability to play through the injury. He is participating in the Pro Bowl this week.
He had only one 20-yard catch in the final four games and did not show the kind of breakaway speed that helped Cooper become the first Raiders rookie with 1,000 receiving yards.