Raiders lose Crowell to torn Achilles tendon

General manager Mike Mayock said the Raiders see first-round draft pick Josh Jacobs as a “three-down back.”

They might need him to prove it more urgently than anticipated.

Running back Isaiah Crowell suffered a torn Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the season, a source confirmed Wednesday. ESPN first reported that Crowell suffered the injury at practice Tuesday and will have surgery next week.

Later Wednesday, NFL Network reported the Raiders are re-signing running back Doug Martin, who spent last season with Oakland and became a free agent in March.

Crowell, 26, signed a oneyear, $2.5 million deal in March to help replace Martin and Marshawn Lynch. That was before the Raiders drafted Jacobs with the No. 24 overall pick last Thursday.

Crowell rushed for 685 yards on 143 carries last season with the Jets, including a 219-yard game in Week 5, but was slowed by injuries and released in March after the Jets signed Le’Veon Bell.

Mayock called Crowell’s contract a “one-year prove-it deal” and it appeared Crowell would play more of a complementary role after the Raiders drafted Jacobs.

Still, Jacobs totaled just 251 carries in his three seasons in Alabama, which led to questions last weekend of whether he’s ready to shoulder the workload of an NFL lead back. Jacobs said he’ll be ready, and head coach Jon Gruden indicated the Raiders would give him that chance.

“If you’re listening, Josh, I’d encourage to get some rest,” Gruden said last Thursday night. “Because we’re going to run you a lot. We’re going to give you a good opportunity, certainly.”

Along with Jacobs and Martin (reportedly), the Raiders return Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington and Chris Warren III at running back. Richard’s role in the Raiders’ offense last year was primarily as a passcatching back, as he tied for the team lead in interceptions. Gruden has touted Richard’s versatility and said he could take on more carries as well.

Martin, 30, had 172 carries for 723 yards and four touchdowns in 2018, and 18 catches for 116 yards. He also fumbled three times. Martin became the Raiders’ primary back after Lynch sustained a groin injury in Week 6, and Martin recorded 100-yard rushing games in the final two weeks of the season against Denver and Kansas City.

ESPN reported last week that Lynch, 33, does not intend to play next season. Lynch, though, has not confirmed that.