Why did the Raiders keep Matt McGloin on the bench?

HOUSTON — The backup was healthy enough to dress, but the Oakland Raiders kept him on the sideline.

With starting quarterback Derek Carr injured indefinitely with a broken leg, the team activated backup Matt McGloin and third-stringer Connor Cook in Saturday’s 27-14 loss against the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

Cook was the only one, however, to take a snap. McGloin suffered an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder in the season finale last week.

Despite poor quarterback play from Cook contributing significantly to the loss, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio never made the switch.

“I asked at halftime,” Del Rio told reporters after the game. “The coaches really felt like there were other things that were kind of contributing and that it wasn’t going to be a big change with a change at quarterback. So we stayed the course with that.”

That’s partly true. Houston’s pass rush toyed with Oakland’s injury-decimated offensive line. The running game sputtered. And even when Cook delivered the ball to his receivers, many of them dropped the passes.

MORE NFL:

Texans' defense shuts down Raiders for wild-card playoff win

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said coach Bill O'Brien is safe

Houston Texans now wait to see which team they play next in playoffs

Cook, who made his first career start on Saturday, completed only 18 of 45 passes (40%) for 161 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in the loss.

It became clear early in Saturday’s game, though, that the Raiders would have a difficult time competing with the Texans with Cook under center. Heading into halftime, Cook had completed just 4 of 14 attempts for 41 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Worse yet, the Raiders were down 20-7 at that point.

After the game, McGloin said “it doesn’t really matter” when asked if he lobbied to get in the game.

“It’s tough,” McGloin told USA TODAY Sports. “You work extremely hard and prepare, and you get ready for these opportunities. It’s just a little injury here and a little injury there, and you’re not healthy enough to go out and help your team. That’s what makes it so difficult.”

When asked if Oakland’s coaches gave McGloin any indication that he would not play, the fourth-year backup continued to remain diplomatic.

“They shouldn’t have to,” McGloin said. “It’s our job to try to be as ready and as healthy as I can be. It’s their decision if they wanted to put me in or not. I have no control over that. I try to prepare as best as I can and be as healthy as I can be.”

The Raiders converted only 2 of 16 third-down conversion attempts. They punted 10 times, including a stretch of eight straight in the second and third quarters. They had six three-and-outs.

Houston’s defense routinely stacked eight and nine defenders in the box daring Cook to throw the ball.

“It was his first start, on the road, in a playoff game, against the No. 1-ranked defense,” Del Rio said. “It was a tough draw for him. We hoped that we’d be able to do enough around him that he wouldn’t be asked to do as much.”

PHOTOS: Best of wild-card weekend