Lynch fined for two-finger salute against Titans
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Two fingers cost Marshawn Lynch $12,000.
The Raiders running back raised both hands and made an obscene gesture Sunday while facing the Tennessee Titans’ defense in the fourth quarter of a 26-16 victory. Lynch reportedly was fined that amount this week. It is not known if he plans to appeal the NFL’S decision.
The gesture was caught on the TV broadcast with about 8 minutes remaining in regulation. He was not penalized during the game.
Lynch had 18 carries for 76 yards on Sunday, adding a 16-yard reception on two targets. This Sunday, against the New York Jets, the 31-year-old Oakland native will play his first regular-season home game as a Raider.
Quarterback Derek Carr said this week he expects the atmosphere to be “loud.”
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to be excited and then get quiet again real quick for the offense,” Carr added. “I love our fans, and I’m happy that they have someone homegrown that gets to play for them.”
Rotation keeps RBS fresh
One thing that stood out in the Raiders’ win over the Tennessee Titans was their running back rotation.
Marshawn Lynch is listed as Oakland’s No. 1 running back on the depth chart, but he only played 48 percent of the team’s snaps on offense. He ranked 23rd out of 31 starting running backs in Week 1 for percentage of total snaps played.
Deandre Washington and Jalen Richard both got considerable playing time Sunday. Washington was with the offense for 24 percent of the plays, while Richard played 21 percent of offensive snaps.
“We’re really fortunate to have three talented backs, NFL starting caliber running backs,” said Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing. “For us, it’s just a matter of keeping those guys fresh.”
Washington and Richard played whenever Lynch would sit out a series. This tactic lessened the load for Lynch as he was able to return fresher.
Downing said that the amount of playing time each running back gets is based on freshness rather than snaps.
“There’s no real plan where we’re on a rep count or anything like that. It’s just a matter of rotating them enough to feel like we’re getting the best version of those guys when we play.”
Lynch carried the ball 18 times for 76 yards. Washington and Richard accounted for 50 total yards of the Raiders’ offense.
Notables
■ Cornerback Sean Smith (neck) did not practice on Wednesday.
■ Wide receiver Amari Cooper (knee), linebacker Cory James (knee), cornerback Gareon Conley (shin), defensive back Keith Mcgill II (foot), fullback Jamize Olawale (quad), cornerback Sean Smith (neck) and Khalil Mack (non-injury related) all practiced today after being limited yesterday.
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter. Contact reporter Chris Booker at cbooker@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bookerc94 on Twitter.