Can Lynch revitalize the weak run game?
SARASOTA, Fla. — Running back Marshawn Lynch will not have a diminished role in the Raiders’ offense after returning from his onegame suspension, offensive coordinator Todd Downing said Thursday.
With Lynch out of Sunday’s game at Buffalo, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington split the majority of snaps at running back in a 34- 14 loss. Lynch rejoined the Raiders in Florida on Tuesday and will suit up this weekend against Miami.
“Now that we have our normal group back, I think you can anticipate similar workloads as people have had,” Downing said. “As we’ve discussed before, the more first downs you get, the more opportunities you get, the more chances you have to execute your game plan. So, look forward to those guys toting the rock for us and showing us what they’ve got.”
Of course, Oakland’s running game wasn’t exactly humming before Lynch’s suspension. The Raiders rank 26th with an average of 88 rushing yards per game. Lynch, 31, who returned from a one- year retirement to play in Oakland this season, is averaging 3.7 yards per carry. His career low for a season is 3.6 in 2010, when he was traded from Buffalo to Seattle.
Lynch’s absence Sunday was seen as a chance for Richard and Washington to carry the load. But although the two smaller backs were frequent passing targets for Derek Carr — a combined 13 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown — they totaled just 47 rushing yards on 11 carries as the running game never got going.
Since amassing 180 yards on the ground in Week 2, the Raiders are averaging 69.2 yards in their past six games. During that 1- 5 stretch they’ve faced good rushing defenses in Denver and Buffalo and trailed early in games, forcing them to throw more. But, as Downing indicated, the lack of a consistent running game has made it difficult to extend drives and contributed to the Raiders averaging a leaguelow 57.8 plays per game.
Oakland’s offensive line, which paved the way for the sixth- ranked rushing attack last season and is one of the league’s highest- paid units, returned mostly intact this year. But other elements of the offense changed, including a new primary back in Lynch and a new coordinator in Downing. Asked Thursday to assess the line’s run- blocking, Downing termed it “an evolving unit.”
“I think we’re growing, we’re learning each other’s styles a bit,” Downing said. “Getting ( Lynch) back adds an element into the run game there. So it’s going to be a growing process. Hopefully we’ve grown to this point and the second half of the season we’re able to put our best foot forward.”
Center Rodney Hudson, one of three Raiders Pro Bowl linemen last season, said the line’s play in 2016 “was last year — I don’t even focus on last year.”
“We always want to get better,” Hudson said. “Try to get better every day, every drive. We’ve just got to keep working. Keep working and focus on the little details.”
Hudson said he thinks Lynch’s return “is going to help us.” The Dolphins’ run defense is revitalized, ranking eighth in the league ( 95.4 yards allowed per game) after finishing 30th last season ( 140.4).
Lynch has not recorded more than 18 carries or 76 rushing yards in a game this season — both figures came in Week 1 — but at least he’s relatively rested.
“Anytime you can have the experience back and the type of player that he is,” Hudson said, “it’s going to help us for sure.” Injury report: After being limited in practice Wednesday, cornerback David Amerson did not participate Thursday because of a foot injury that also kept him out of Sunday’s game at Buffalo.
Gareon Conley ( shin) and Demetrius McCray ( knee) also did not practice, meaning that of six cornerbacks on the active roster, only three — TJ Carrie, Dexter McDonald and Sean Smith — practiced.
Rookie Obi Melifonwu was seen working with the cornerbacks in position drills. Melifonwu, who is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday at Miami after coming off injured reserve, was drafted as a safety but may have to adjust if the Raiders are thin at corner.
Right guard Gabe Jackson ( ankle) also did not practice. Linebacker Cory James ( knee), safety Karl Joseph ( groin), linebacker Marquel Lee ( ankle), linebacker Nicholas Morrow ( ankle) and fullback Jamize Olawale ( hamstring) were limited.