Rookie corner aggravates thumb injury, could be headed to IR

Cornerback Damon Arnette could go on the shelf, as the Raiders are considering placing the rookie on injured reserve after he re-injured his thumb against the New England Patriots.

The rookie first-round draft pick from Ohio State will get additional tests, a team source said Tuesday, and it “looks like” injured reserve will be required. If that happens, Arnette would miss a minimum of three games — Buffalo, Kansas City and Tampa Bay on Oct. 25 following the bye.

The news was first reported by the NFL Network.

Arnette has been a starter since he arrived. He played with a cast on his right hand through training camp and the first two games of the season.

Against New England, Arnette bent his right hand backward awkwardly while needing to steady himself and temporarily left the field in what appeared to be considerable pain. He returned and wound up playing 52 snaps, second to Trayvon Mullen’s 55 among cornerbacks. Arnette has missed a series or two in each game but has always returned to finish. During a zoom interview last week, Arnette described playing with the break as akin to stubbing a toe, and said he occasionally needed a break before going back into the game.

With Arnette out, cornerbacks in line for more work include veteran Nevin Lawson (36 snaps against New England) and second-year player Isaiah Johnson (active but no snaps on defense). Also available are Keisan Nixon, who has been used primarily on special teams, and fourth-round draft pick Amik Robertson of Louisiana Tech, who was inactive in each of the first three games.