Hudson departs after injuring ankle
HOUSTON — The Raiders began a game with their starting offensive line intact for the first time this season Sunday. It lasted a little more than nine minutes.
Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson suffered an ankle injury on a running play with 5:50 left in the first quarter and had to be helped off the field with his arms over the shoulders of two trainers.
Hudson later was carted to the locker room. Head coach Jon Gruden said after the Raiders’ 2724 loss at Houston he did not have a specific update on Hudson’s injury but was concerned.
“We felt really good about having the starters together for the first time,” Gruden said. “I don’t know the severity of it. But we’ll have to deal with it.”
Hudson has started the Raiders’ past 55 regularseason games and hadn’t missed a snap since 2015 before Sunday. The Raiders signed Hudson, a twotime Pro Bowler, to a threeyear extension worth $33.75 million in August, making him the NFL’s highestpaid
“I don’t know the severity of it. But we’ll have to deal with it.”
Jon Gruden, Raiders head coach, on center Rodney Hudson’s injury
center in annual value.
Andre James, an undrafted rookie out of UCLA, replaced Hudson and finished the game. James said he felt “confident” having taken extra practice reps Wednesday with Hudson resting.
“I’ve just been preparing myself mentally for this kind of situation,” James said. “Rod obviously is a great player who can’t be replaced. But it’s just the nextmanup mentality, and I tried to do my best. I’ve got some things to clean up but felt good about it.”
Quarterback Derek Carr said Hudson’s injury “hurts your heart” but that James, who moved from tackle to center in training camp, “did a great job against a really good front.” Guard Gabe Jackson said he did not sense “nervousness” from James.
“You’ve got to have some nerves coming in and playing an NFL game anyway, just being a rookie,” Jackson said. “To make calls and step into some big shoes to fill with Rodney, I commend him for that.” Watt out: The Texans also took a significant loss, as defensive end J.J. Watt announced on Twitter after the game that he is out for the year with an injury.
“This game can be beautiful and it can also be brutal,” Watt tweeted. “Absolutely gutted that I won’t be able to finish the season with my guys and give the fans what they deserve.”
ESPN reported Watt suffered a torn pectoral muscle. Watt appeared to be injured on a secondquarter tackle of running back Josh Jacobs.
“It’s tough,” Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “I mean, that’s a big part of this team. But he knows that this locker room, this organization, this town, this city, the Houston Nation is definitely going to support him through his recovery.” Odyssey over: Several Raiders expressed relief at the end of their stretch of five games away from Oakland, with the lone “home” game their Week 5 win over the Bears in London.
“This has been the most ridiculous road trip I’ve ever been on,” Gruden said. “I’m going to become a travel agent after this trip. I know a lot about moving around, flying around.”
Carr described the stretch as “tiring.”
“I try to do a really good job of nutrition, sleep, all that kind of stuff, taking care of my body,” Carr said. “But those miles add up, man. I’m glad I’m done with, that’s for sure.”
The Raiders went 23 in the stretch, are 34 overall and play their next three games at home. Defensive back Lamarcus Joyner said Sunday’s loss had not curbed optimism among players.
“Right now, everything is up and down in the league,” Joyner said. “We’re a really good football team, man. Once we start clicking on all cylinders, we’re going to be good. Nobody is worried around here.”