Amerson’s time off spent on aching foot
CB trying to recover after missing past two games because of injury
ALAMEDA, Calif. — David Amerson did his best to relax.
The Raiders cornerback spent a couple days in Los Angeles during his extended bye weekend. He lounged in a pool. He tried to unplug. There was just one issue he couldn’t fully escape.
He wasn’t healthy yet.
Players spend their four allotted off-days differently. Some, like practice-squad defensive end Fadol Brown, fly home and taste their mother’s cooking. Some, like kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, remain in the
Bay Area and catch up with family and friends. And then there are the injured who are stuck somewhere between relaxation and recovery.
Amerson, 25, is still working toward the latter.
He has missed the past two games to a foot injury. He made some strides in his recovery Tuesday with some running. His physical workload is expected to intensify Wednesday, as the Raiders will monitor how he’s able to cut on his healing foot to provide an early sense about his status for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Amerson did his part. He said his bye week was about “resting.”
“Recovering,” he added. “Trying to get healthy, really, and get back on the field. That’s the main thing for me right now. That’s all I’m really focused on. … When you’re healthy (during a bye week), you’re just thinking about how much time you have to have fun. When you’re injured, there’s obviously more treatment you have to attend to, and then when you’re off, it’s not as relaxing compared to if I was playing every week.”
Amerson has missed three total games, having dealt with a shoulder injury and concussion earlier this
regular season.
Various ailments have maligned the Raiders at cornerback. Gareon Conley, the team’s rookie firstround pick, was placed Monday on injured reserve with a shin ailment for which he first missed time in the spring. Antonio Hamilton, predominantly a special teamer, is on injured reserve with a knee ailment.
Sean Smith appeared on the injury report earlier this season with neck and shoulder ailments. His missed time has been more related to performance than medical reasons, although he’s shown improved play over the past few weeks.
All in all, TJ Carrie was the Raiders’ only cornerback to have played the majority of the defense’s 581 snaps in the first nine games. He was on the field for 570 of them, or 98.1 percent.
Notable
■ Safety Reggie Nelson said he was unaware until told Tuesday afternoon that Conley was placed on IR. “He’ll be a great corner,” Nelson said. “He studies, he takes the time to watch film, and he asks questions. Even when he wasn’t (playing), he was sitting down, watching film.
That says a lot about a young guy. … GC is going to be all right. That’s a person who is the least of my worries. He’s going to be fine. He’s going to be a great professional.”
■ The Raiders held only a light walk-through practice Tuesday. Their first true practice of the week comes Wednesday.
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.
Las Vegas Review-journal NFL reporter Gilbert Manzano’s weekly rankings, with last week’s ranking in parentheses.
The first-place Eagles come off a bye week for an NFC East showdown against the Cowboys.
What happened to the Patriots’ leaky defense? New England hasn’t given up more than 17 points in the past five games.
Los Angeles looks like the real deal. We’ll find out in the next five weeks when the Rams play against the Vikings, Saints, Eagles and Seahawks.
The Steelers got a scare against the Colts but got the job done.
Case Keenum and the Vikings’ wide receivers went off for 38 points versus Washington’s top secondary.
Drew Brees might be playing with his best rushing attack and defense in his 12 years in New Orleans.
The Chiefs return from a bye week trying to play catchup. They get the lowly Giants.
Russell Wilson really enjoys starting slow and making dazzling plays at the end to win games.
The AFC South leader gets a big test against the Steelers on “Thursday Night Football.”
Cam Newton finally has the offense going. Watch out, NFC leaders.
The Jaguars’ rising defense continues to shut down quarterbacks and wide receivers.
Atlanta picked up a much-needed victory versus Dallas to get back in the playoff race.
Cowboys were without two all-pro offensive players last week. Dallas needs Ezekiel Elliott and Tyron Smith if it wants to reach postseason.
The Lions are back on track after winning two straight.
Buffalo was embarrassed by the Saints’ vaunted rushing attack.
Josh Norman is still trying to chase down Minnesota’s Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.
The Cardinals are stuck in the mediocre zone.
Coming off a bye week the Raiders are only one game behind in the wild-card chase. But the Raiders get Tom Brady next.
Brett Hundley finally made Aaron Rodgers happy.
The Ravens are also somehow one game out of a playoff spot. Does anyone want the sixth seed in the AFC?
Put a fork in the Broncos’ defense. They’re not the same.
Might be time to bench Tom Savage for T.J. Yates. Yeah, that won’t help.
Jay Cutler operates the worst offense in the league.
The Chargers continue to find painful ways to lose.
The Jets couldn’t beat the terrible Buccaneers.
A.J. Green didn’t choke anyone on the Titans last week.
Keep pushing, Bears.
Ryan Fitzpatrick got his revenge against his former team, the Jets.
The Colts couldn’t finish off the upset versus the Steelers.
The proud franchise from the Bay Area avoids
0-16 infamy.
Close your eyes for the next seven weeks, Giants fans.
Final winless team in the NFL.
Gilbert Manzano covers the
NFL for the Review-journal. He can be reached at gmanzano@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @ Gmanzano24 on Twitter.