Changing of guards a royal pain
Injuries to Osemele, Feliciano, Jackson has put offensive line in state of flux
ALAMEDA >> There’s something keeping Jon Gruden up at night, and it’s not the uncertainty of where his team will play home games next season or the recent firing of his general manager.
It’s the fact he doesn’t know who will play guard this Sunday in Cincinnati.
Left guard Kelechi Osemele missed his fourth game of the season last Sunday against the Steelers, his first DNP because of a toe injury as opposed to his prior knee ailment. Backup left guard Jon Feliciano suffered a seasonending calf injury against the Steelers, and the Raiders placed him on injured reserve Tuesday. Right guard Gabe Jackson is nursing an elbow injury suffered against the Steelers along with an ankle issue. Both Osemele and Jackson didn’t practice on Wednesday as the Raiders began preparations for the Bengals, who they play at 10 a.m. PST on Sunday.
“We have big issues to solve,” Gruden said Monday. “Who’s our backup center? Who’s playing left guard? Who’s playing right guard? That’s a big concern and one of the reasons I’ve been up late at night.”
The Raiders signed guard/tackle Denver Kirkland and guard/center Cameron Hunt on Tuesday. Both have spent time with the Raiders before. Kirkland figures to be in the mix at both guard spots and Hunt takes Feliciano’s place as the backup to center Rodney Hudson.
Gruden also mentioned recently acquired offensive linemen Chaz Green and Denzelle Good as possibilities to replace Osemele and Jackson if they can’t suit up Sunday. Such uncertainty on the Raiders’ interior offensive line never bodes well, but especially not this week when facing one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles in Geno Atkins.
“He’s what you’re looking for as a three technique. He’s a power guy. He’s a little bit different than Warren Sapp and some of the guys I’ve been around,” Gruden said. “He’s got incredible power. When he unleashes it, you feel it. He also has the ability, I think, to get on the edge and beat you with speed. That’s a combination that’s tough to go up against.”
Osemele, Hudson and Jackson are normally the safest bets on the Raiders’ offensive line, especially this season with two rookie tackles. Gruden has repeatedly credited those three veterans for helping Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker assimilate to NFL life. Yet this week it’s Osemele and Jackson from whom the question marks stem as the Raiders try to finish the season strong. LAS VEGAS TO HOST 2020 NFL DRAFT >> The league announced Wednesday that the Raiders’ future home will host the 2020 NFL Draft.
“The Raiders are very excited for Las Vegas and are proud to help host the Left guard Kelechi Osemele (70), who has battled injuries, center Rodney Hudson (61) and quarterback Derek Carr react after a turnover against Kansas City on Oct. 16.
2020 NFL Draft,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a release. “Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and will provide a tremendous experience for the NFL and its fans.”
The Raiders are scheduled to play their first home game in Las Vegas in September 2020.
“The NFL Draft is one of the most-anticipated events of the year and we are excited to take it to Las Vegas,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the Raiders, Las Vegas officials and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
to create an unforgettable week-long celebration of football for our fans, the incoming prospects and partners.”
Las Vegas beat out Cleveland and Cincinnati to host the draft, NFL executive Peter O’Reilly told reporters at owners meetings in Texas on Wednesday. This is the first time Las Vegas will host the draft, which will take place in Nashville next year.
WILL PROMISING ROOKIE DT MO HURST PLAY THIS WEEKEND? >> Hurst, the Raiders’ sack leader with four, missed his first game of the season against the Steelers with an ankle injury.
He returned to practice Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion, which suggests he’s on track to play Sunday against the Bengals. Rookie P.J. Hall (75 percent) and veteran Johnathan Hankins (57 percent) played the most snaps at defensive tackle in the upset of Pittsburgh.
“I heard a rumor he was running around on the treadmill pretty good yesterday, so hopefully he can do some stuff today,” Gruden said of Hurst. “We’ll modify practice and make it more of a teaching practice today. Hopefully he can be back in form by the end of the week.”