Amari Cooper has been the most dynamic rookie in the first three weeks of the NFL season and he will continue to get chances with the ball in his hand.
Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said Cooper -- the No. 4 overall pick who has 20 catches in three weeks and has had two 100-yard receiving games -- will be an option "occasionally" as a punt returner moving forward. Cooper returned two punts, including one he badly misjudged, against the Browns on Sunday.
Still, the idea of Cooper with the ball in his hands is intriguing to his coaches.
"He's certainly a guy that we think is a real good football player, that we'll be able to do some things in space provided we give him the opportunity with some blocking," Del Rio said Monday. "He has good hands. He catches the ball easy, and he has some run ability, so we'll take advantage of that."
In other Raiders notes:
Del Rio said cornerback TJ Carrie will continue to play some safety as well at cornerback depending on the game plan. Carrie, Oakland's best cornerback, played strong safety in the first half at Cleveland. Del Rio also said cornerback David Amerson played well in a limited role Sunday.
Del Rio said he doesn't know if starting defensive tackle Justin Ellis will practice this week. he has missed the past two games with an ankle injury.
The Raiders cut cornerback Chimdi Chekwa and seventh-round pick, tackle Anthony Morris from the injured reserve.
