Janikowski’s days as Raider could be over
Veteran kicker must remain on injured reserve for rest of season
ALAMEDA >> Sebastian Janikowski’s season officially ended Tuesday, and time will tell if it’s the end of an era as well.
When the Raiders started the clock on cornerback Antonio Hamilton off injured reserve, it meant remaining players on
IR — Janikowski and guard
Denver Kirkland — would remain there for the rest of the season.
The Raiders have two weeks to activate Hamilton but can’t bring another player off injured reserve, having already brought back Obi Melifonwu. Each team can bring two players off injured reserve during a season.
Janikowski, 39, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3 million this season. He agreed to a salary reduction from just over $4
million just before he went on injured reserve with a back injury.
A first-round draft pick (No. 17 overall) by Al Davis in 2000, Janikowski is the Raiders’ all-time leader in games played with 268, in points with 1,799 and has an NFL record 55 field goals of 55 yards or more.
Considering his age and injury status, Janikowski is unlikely to command the type of salary in 2018 he’s been accustomed to in recent years.
Janikowski could decide to come back and compete for a job, possibly with incumbent Giorgio Tavecchio, look for a new team or retire.
The Raiders have been non-specific about Janikowski’s back condition, with coach Jack Del Rio saying only that the kicker was “mending.”
• Michael Crabtree’s appeal was successful in reducing his two-game suspension to one, the NFL announced. Appeals officer Derrick Brooks heard Crabtree’s case and cut his suspension in half, meaning the Raiders’ wide receiver will only miss this Sunday’s game at home against the Giants. He is eligible to return to the roster on Monday and play Dec. 10 against Kansas City.
Crabtree was initially
suspended two games for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct violations in last Sunday’s first-quarter fight with Denver cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib’s suspension was also reduced from two games to one.
Crabtree leads the Raiders with six touchdown catches and is tied for first on the team with 42 receptions. In his one-game absence, the Raiders will call up rookie wide receiver Isaac Whitney (USC) from the practice squad.
Amari Cooper’s status for Sunday’s game is also uncertain, as he remains in the concussion protocol while also dealing with a sprained ankle suffered on the same play that concussed him.
• Cornerback David Amerson said he plans to practice today. Amerson has missed the Raiders’ past four games with a foot injury, leaving an already struggling secondary without a starter. He hasn’t practiced since Nov. 1.
Amerson has missed five total games this season and suffered a concussion, a shoulder injury and most recently the foot issue. In his place, Oakland has rotated Sean Smith, Obi Melifonwu and Dexter McDonald at corner with TJ Carrie playing on a more consistent basis.