Decision due soon on Conley
The Raiders should know by early next week whether firstround pick Gareon Conley, who has not played since Week 3 because of a shin injury, will be able to return this season, general manager Reggie McKenzie said Thursday.
Conley missed training camp, preseason and Week 1 with the injury. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Jets and played in one more game before encountering a setback. He has not practiced since and the Raiders want to see if he can do so after this week’s bye.
“We’re trying to give it some time to calm down and see if he can play,” McKenzie said Thursday in a discussion with reporters. “We’ll see what’s happening over the weekend and early (next) week and see what he can do. If he can’t go then, he can’t go. We’re just going to have to move on. But we’re going to give him every opportunity to see if he can do it.”
Conley’s absence has been highlighted by the Raiders’ shortcomings at cornerback. TJ Carrie, who started the season as arguably the fourth corner on the Raiders’ depth chart, is the only corner who has played more than 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this season.
The Raiders had three healthy cornerbacks — Carrie, Sean Smith and Dexter McDonald — active Sunday at Miami. Per Pro Football Focus, David Amerson, Smith and McDonald have allowed the three highest opponent passer ratings this season out of 121 cornerbacks who have played at least 101 snaps.
“There’s no question we miss him,” McKenzie said of Conley. “He came in hitting the ground running. We felt really good about him during the offseason, until he got kicked. And that’s the way it is. But he is a good football player and he will have a great career.”
Kicking options: Sebastian Janikowski (back) was eligible to return from injured reserve after Week 8. But there’s no guarantee the Raiders’ all-time points leader will kick this season.
Taking his place, Giorgio Tavecchio has made 12 of 14 field-goal attempts and 22 of 23 extra point tries. McKenzie said that has allowed the Raiders to be patient with Janikowski.
“You don’t have to rush him back, that’s for sure,” McKenzie said. “Giorgio’s done a great job. He’s really stepped up to the plate and has been kicking well. … Seabass, he’s moving forward with his progress, and I think he would be ready to roll here shortly if needed. But right now it’s no need to rush anything.”
Mobile home: After the bye, the Raiders play a “home” game against the Patriots in Mexico City. It’s the third time in four seasons the Raiders have played one of their eight home dates at another site — London in 2014 and Mexico City last year — something McKenzie said is not ideal.
“The Raiders are a part of the NFL and it’s their decision to do certain things,” McKenzie said. “But we would love to play our home games here in Oakland.”
Briefly: McKenzie said the Raiders hope to have a new deal in place with 2016 Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack before the start of next season, and that: “Hopefully his agent feels the same.” ... Asked if NaVorro Bowman, signed Oct. 16 after being cut by the 49ers, is a long-term option at linebacker, McKenzie said: “Yes, he could be.” … Oakland can bring one other player back from IR, with the likely candidates being Janikowski or Denver Kirkland. McKenzie said the Raiders have not made a decision: “We can still let this thing play out the next few weeks.”