Amerson’s return ‘doubtful’ for battle with Brady & Co.
ALAMEDA >> David Amerson ran on a side field with a Raiders trainer all week and logged three DNPs ahead of Sunday’s game in Mexico City against the New England Patriots.
Yet as of Friday afternoon, the starting cornerback hadn’t been officially ruled out of the game, though it looks like he’s headed for that fate come Sunday, with a designation of “doubtful” for now.
“He’ll travel. He ran well enough on the side for it to be a consideration,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said of Amerson on
Friday. “Still doubtful, which means what it means. The percentages are not great that he’s gonna play, but there’s that possibility that remains. I didn’t want to make him ‘out’ and then have him out there.”
Amerson has been plagued by injuries this season — first a concussion suffered against Denver, then a shoulder injury and now a foot issue. He has played in six of Oakland’s nine games, missing contests against Baltimore, Buffalo and Miami. The bye week apparently did little to improve Amerson’s status, given that he’s still a long shot to suit up for an already banged-up secondary.
Rookie corner Gareon Conley was placed on injured reserve Monday, and duties have been left to Sean Smith, TJ Carrie and Dexter McDonald at the position.
Carrie has been the group’s most consistent performer and Smith has played well of late. McDonald, however, has been shaky, which the Raiders can’t afford against Tom Brady on Sunday.
“He’s given us some snaps, been
called on and he’s part of the process of what we’re trying to do on the back end, using everybody that’s available,” Del Rio said of McDonald.
“Trying to be as effective as possible.”
The unit, which also includes safeties Reggie Nelson, Karl Joseph and now rookie Obi Melifonwu, has yet to grab an interception.
This marks the longest a team has gone without one in a single season in NFL history. The record for fewest interceptions by a team in a season is four, by the 0-16 Detroit Lions in 2008. Oakland’s franchise low is five in 2005.
The Raiders already have one of the league’s worst pass defenses, ranking 22nd in passing yards allowed per game (245), 29th in yards allowed per pass attempt (7.9)
and dead last in opponent passer rating (110.5).
• Four others are questionable for the Raiders: right tackle Marshall Newhouse (hip/quadriceps), right guard Gabe Jackson (ankle), linebacker Cory James (knee) and fullback Jamize Olawale (hamstring).
The only one in that group who didn’t practice Thursday was Newhouse, who went from limited to DNP back to limited this week.
On Friday, Newhouse briefly stood off to the side during the offensive line’s individual drills. Secondyear tackle Vadal Alexander (who started for Newhouse against the Chiefs) took his place.
James, a starter, has missed games against the Chiefs and Chargers this season.
Jackson missed the Raiders’ game against the Ravens in Week 5, and Olawale has missed games against the Titans, Jets and Dolphins this season.