Feliciano makes statement in trenches
Versatile lineman not just another backup
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Ideally, the Raiders won’t often be down an offensive lineman this season.
Should it happen, they hope it goes as smoothly as it did Sunday.
Jon Feliciano is the team’s trusted option to step in at left guard, center or right guard as necessary in the event of an injury.
Against the Baltimore Ravens, he played every offensive snap in place of right guard Gabe Jackson, grading highly and perhaps sending a message to the rest of the NFL.
The Raiders, despite recent struggles, are considered to have one of the league’s best offensive lines.
Their first interior option off the bench isn’t to be forgotten.
“I consider myself a starter in the league,” Feliciano said. “I proved it on Sunday. I expected to go out there and perform well. I did. … I really just wanted to put the league on notice that I’m in a great position behind Gabe and K.O. (left guard Kelechi Osemele), two of the best guards in the league. We kind of have another one back there.”
Feliciano’s start Sunday was the fourth of his NFL career.
Offensive coordinator Todd Downing called the Raiders’ 2015 fourth-round pick a good example of the roster that general manager Reggie Mckenzie and coach Jack Del Rio have built.
A starter can be lost to injury, Downing said, and the next option will step in without a significant drop-off.
“Jon brings a tenacity and effort that I think a lot of teams would like to have,” Downing said. “Seeing him out there and playing as hard as he did and being able to grasp the game plan and prepare as a backup center and a guard and be so well-rounded, it showed his versatility.”
Notable
■ Given how Feliciano performed, the Raiders don’t necessarily need
to rush back Jackson from a foot injury. But he has made encouraging progress. He practiced Thursday as a limited participant for the second straight day.
■ Quarterback Derek Carr (back), cornerback David Amerson (shoulder), wide receiver Amari Cooper (knee), linebacker Cory James (knee), tight end Lee Smith (knee) and running back Deandre Washington (hamstring) also were limited. James and Smith made their practice debuts for the week. Both are expected to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
■ Cornerback Gareon Conley (shin), cornerback Antonio Hamilton (knee), linebacker Marquel Lee (ankle) and fullback Jamize Olawale (concussion) have yet to practice this week.
■ The Raiders joined the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys to donate a combined $200,000 toward disaster relief efforts after a September earthquake in Mexico City. This week, the Raiders also were among the Bay Area sports teams to donate $450,000 combined toward victims of the ongoing wildfires in Northern California.
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.