Raiders hope to have cornerback Sean Smith for Monday’s game against Texans

The Oakland Raiders are hoping to have cornerback Sean Smith back in the lineup for Monday’s game in Mexico City against the Houston Texans.

Smith made it through a third consecutive day of practice Saturday and continues to wear a protective sling on his left shoulder while being listed as questionable on the team’s medical report.

Coach Jack Del Rio, who rarely discusses injuries in detail, declined to say whether Smith would play but sounded optimistic.

“Our guys that are questionable, we had about six of them, I’m hoping they can all play,” Del Rio said. “We’ll just see how it goes.”

That list includes wide receiver Amari Cooper (back) and running back Latavius Murray (ankle), along with offensive linemen Rodney Hudson (knee) and Kelechi Osemele (knee). All four have been limited in practice this week.

Defensive tackle Stacy McGee, who is nursing an ankle injury, joins Smith as the only defensive players on the injury list.

Smith has not played since suffering a shoulder injury on the second play of the game against Tampa Bay on Oct. 30. Although the injury wasn’t serious, Smith — one of the Raiders’ top free-agent acquisitions after signing a $38-million, four-year deal — was held out of Oakland’s Week 9 win over Denver.

With the Raiders on a bye last week, Smith will have had three weeks of rest by the time of Monday night’s kickoff.

Etc.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have activated linebacker Bud Dupree and placed him on the active roster a day before Sunday’s game in Cleveland. Dupree, the team’s top choice in the 2015 draft, missed Pittsburgh’s first nine games because of a groin injury. To make room for Dupree, the Steelers placed defensive end Cam Heyward (chest) and wide receiver Markus Wheaton (shoulder) on injured reserve on Saturday. …

Cornerback Chris Culliver has been waived by the Miami Dolphins, the latest setback for the veteran as he tries to come back from knee surgery. Culliver was activated Nov. 7 but hasn’t played since tearing the two major ligaments in his right knee last Thanksgiving while with the Redskins. The Dolphins replaced him Saturday on the roster with center Jake Brendel, who was promoted from the practice squad for added depth Sunday against the Rams since center Mike Pouncey (hip) is doubtful.