The Las Vegas Raiders signed Justin Shorter off their practice squad in the wake of fellow wide receiver Amari Cooper’s unexpected retirement, according to multiple reports Friday.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Cooper informed the Raiders on Thursday that he is retiring, ending a 10-season career.
The news came on the heels of Cooper telling reporters, “Trust me, I still have some juice left,” last week after signing a one-year contract with the organization that made him the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Shorter, 25, played in 10 games last season for the Raiders.
In his college career with Penn State and Florida, Shorter recorded 110 receptions for 1,552 yards and eight touchdowns in 48 games.
He was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills but was placed on IR for his rookie season with a hamstring injury and then released in August 2024.
Shorter was signed to the active roster of the Raiders last November and in those 10 games, he primarily saw action on special teams, recording no receptions.
Cooper, 31, had 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns last season in 14 games with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. All three categories were a career low for Cooper. He totaled 711 catches for 10,033 yards and 64 touchdowns in 154 career games (143 starts).
