Raiders’ O-line hurt by Incognito’s injury
Las Vegas Raiders left guard Richie Incognito will miss the season opener against Baltimore with a calf injury.
Incognito got hurt during a joint practice against the Rams on Aug. 19 and hasn’t practiced since. Coach Jon Gruden said Saturday there was a good chance Incognito could return for Week 2 at Pittsburgh.
The absence of Incognito for the game Monday night against the Ravens leaves Las Vegas with a very inexperienced line with second-year pro John Simpson slated to start in his place.
The Raiders traded away center Rodney Hudson, right guard Gabe Jackson and right tackle Trent Brown in the offseason.
That leaves Las Vegas with fourth-year starter Kolton Miller at left tackle and new pieces at the other four spots.
Simpson started just two games as a rookie and will likely take over at left guard.
Center Andre James is a former undrafted free agent who has started only one game at the position in either college or the pros, right guard Denzelle Good has been mostly a backup in his career and mostly played on the left side in 2020 and first-round right tackle Alex Leatherwood will make his NFL debut.
“We’re anxious to see our line,” Gruden said. “We know we’ve got four new starters there compared to last year at this time, but we have some players with really big upsides, and this will be a great test for them.”
The Raiders must contend with Baltimore’s complicated defense that blitzed at the highest rate in the NFL last season on the big stage of “Monday Night Football.” PATRIOTS ADD REINFORCEMENTS >> New England elevated kicker Nick Folk and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer to the active roster from the practice squad.
Folk, 36, has played 13 NFL seasons with the Cowboys, Jets, Buccaneers and Patriots. After playing for
New England the past two years, he was released by New England after training camp and signed to the practice squad. He made 26 of 28 field goals and 30 of 33 extra points last season.
Hoyer, 35, has played 12 seasons with the Cardinals, Texans, Bears, 49ers, Colts and two stints with the Patriots (2009-11 and 2020). BACK ON THE FIELD >> Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu was added to the active roster from the COVID-19 list, and the three-time All-Pro was listed as questionable for Kansas City’s regular-season opener against Cleveland.
Mathieu tested positive Sept. 1, even though he was fully vaccinated, and he needed to return two negative tests taken 24 hours apart to be eligible to play. He was still in the protocol Friday, but is now cleared.
• Left tackle Austin Jackson was activated by the Dolphins from the COVID-19 reserve list, making him eligible to play today against New England. The Dolphins said a final determination on Jackson’s playing status will be made before the game. He was traveling to New England separately from the rest of the team.
MISCELLANY >> The Lions are placing left tackle Taylor Decker on injured reserve following finger surgery. Decker is expected to miss about a month. Rookie Penei Sewell, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, will likely replace Decker in the lineup when Detroit opens the season today against the visiting 49ers.
• The Titans signed veteran kicker Michael Badgley to the active roster and put fellow kicker Sam Ficken (groin) on injured reserve. Badgley lost the Chargers’ kicking competition to Tristan Vizcaino. As insurance, the Titans added veteran kicker Randy Bullock to the practice squad.
• The Eagles signed left tackle Jordan Mailata to a four-year contract extension reportedly worth $40.85 million guaranteed and up to $80 million with incentives.