Jacobs’ plan is to give it a go on Sunday
ALAMEDA » Raiders running back Josh Jacobs didn’t practice again Thursday, but as he talked for a few minutes with the media, paused to put on a pullover hooded sweatshirt.
Not exactly the same as taking on J. J. Watt in the hole, but enough for some optimism regarding the availability of the NFL’s leading rookie rusher Sunday when the Raiders visit the Houston Texans.
Jacobs said he injured his shoulder in the Raiders’ 42-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers on his first run from scrimmage, flattening Green Bay safety Adrian Amos in the process for a 9-yard gain. He left after three carries, got a pain-killing injection, then returned and finished with 124 yards on 21 carries.
“It was just the funky way I hit him,” Jacobs said. “I literally hit him
with nothing but my shoulder. So it was like, I didn’t have a lot of stability behind it, so I just did it to myself.”
Jacobs shrugged off his departure and return as “It’s football. It’s always something,” adding, “It didn’t really hurt until after the game — or the next morning.”
When asked if he could play even without practicing all during the week, Jacobs said, “Yep. That’s the goal,” and he doesn’t plan on running any differently to compensate for any injuries.
“I’m going to play my game. I never play thinking about injuries or worrying about injuries,” Jacobs said. “You just play fast and whatever happens, happens.”
Analytics sites such as Profootballfocus have listed Jacobs as gaining more than three yards per carry after contact, the best figure in the NFL. Jacobs said he’s never stopped to analyze the analytics.
“When I’m playing the game it kind of slows down for me,” Jacobs said. “I do a lot of things, on film, where I don’t know how I did it. I guess it’s just God-given talent.”
• Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, a pair of veterans in their fourth year, have taken a back seat to Jacobs with no complaint and will stand at the ready should Jacobs be unable to face Houston.
“Me and D-Wash have been handling business since we got here,” Richard said. We’ve been here four years. Josh is a great player, but I don’t think it’d slow us down too much.”
That’s been the Raiders mentality through four games. They were without Richie Incognito for the first two, didn’t have Trent Brown last week against Green Bay, lost Johnathan Abram for the season in the opener, linebacker Vontaze Burfict during the Colts game, wide receiver Tyrell Williams for the last two games and of never had Antonio Brown.
“We feel real confident in the backup running backs and certainly we’ve got confidence in the offensive line,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “We’ll focus on running the ball no matter who’s out there.”
Richard has just 13 rushes for 54 yards and nine catches for 40 yards — one year after tying Jared Cook for the team lead in receptions with 68.
“The competitor in me always wants to be out there,” Richard said. “But teams change and roles change as different players get added. I know what my role is. I’m out there every third down, pickig up the blitz, making sure (Derek Carr) gets the ball off. And when I get the ball in my hands, do what I do.”
Richard believes Jacobs could be a “generational talent,” and Jacobs said both reserve backs have been nothing but supportive.
“They taught me how to be a pro,” Richard said. “They know it’s a long season. They know we’re going to need everybody, so they just patiently support me and when they get their opportunity I’ll support them when they do.”
• It’s starting to look as if the Raiders offensive line may have the starting five projected during training camp all on the field at the same time for the first time.
Brown was limited in practice with a calf strain after missing the Green Bay game. Right guard Gabe Jackson practiced after sitting out Wednesday. He missed the first five games with an MCL strain. Center Rodney Hudson (ankle) practiced after missing Wednesday. Left guard Richie Incoginto has made four starts since coming off suspension and probably exceeded everyone’s expectations except his own.
Second-year left tackle Kolton Miller hasn’t missed a snap. The good news is players such as David Sharpe and Denzelle Good have provided quality depth.
“This is really the first week they’ve all lined up together,” Olson said. “So we’re excited about the guys we went in thinking would be the five starters having a chance to play together.”
he quality of the line play under Tom Cable is another reason the Raiders have confidence they do some damage on the ground even if Jacobs can’t play or can’t finish the game.
“Our whole offensive line room is solid,” Jacobs said. “Great fullback. I tell people all the time, it’s easy to run behind them. You trust them, know they’re going to be in the right spots.”
• Williams has been out with plantar fasciitis for the past two games but having practiced to days in a row, stands a good chance of traveling to Houston and playing.
Williams’ presence would give Carr and additional large and swift target in the seam to go along with Darren Waller and open up the offense.
“Looks like he’s got fresh legs,” Olson said. “He hasn’t been able to run for awhile. Looked good yesterday when he came out and followed it up with another good day today. We’re excited to get him back.”
Williams, Hudson, Jackson, Brown, Richard and defensive end Arden Key ( knee) were all limited in practice
• Raiders defensive coordiantor Paul Guenther realizes there’s another playmaking quarterback on tap in Deshaun Watson a week after getting taken apart by Aaron Rodgers.
And Guenther, while giving Rodgers credit for throwing for 429 yards and five touchdowns, wasn’t shirking the responsibility of his unit either for making it too easy at times. Nine of Rodgers’ completions went for 314 yards.
“Some of the times we couldn’t cover ’em tight enough. Other times (Rodgers) made some really good throws. We had nine explosive plays (20 yards or more). We had six in the Chicago and Indianapolis games combined. We just didn’t cover and rush good enough against a guy like that.”