Unlike Rudolph, Incognito’s incident was swing and miss
Helmet once swung at ex-dolphins guard by then-texan Smith
ALAMEDA, Calif. — There aren’t many in the NFL who have experienced what happened to Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph on Thursday night, as Browns defensive end Myles Garrett took Rudolph’s own helmet and swung it at him, hitting Rudolph on the head. But Raiders left guard Richie Incognito had something similar happen to him.
In the 2013 preseason, then-texans defensive end Antonio Smith got in a scuffle with then-dolphins guard Incognito, removed Incognito’s helmet and then swung it at him. Smith missed making contact with Incognito’s head, but was still suspended for one game for the incident.
Incognito declined to comment on the Thursday Night Football incident between Rudolph and Garrett, who on Friday was suspended for at least the remainder of the 2019 season and any postseason for his actions. But Incognito did recall what transpired from his own incident in 2013.
“He got my helmet off and he swung it at me — thank God he didn’t come close — and that was it,” Incognito said. “It was in the competition of the game. Obviously, it’s a dirty move. But it is what it is.”
The league not only suspended Garrett, but also Steelers center Markuice Pouncey for three games and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for their respective roles in the incident. The Browns and Steelers were each fined $250,000 as well.
Newcomers expected to play
Safety D.J. Swearinger and defensive end Dion Jordan have only been around the team for a few practices, but head coach Jon Gruden said he expects both to be active on Sunday.
“We’re going to get those guys up and start the process,” Gruden said. “We need them.”
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther had positive impressions of both from their first couple of practices. Guenther said Swearinger’s familiarity with similar systems helped get the safety up to speed quickly.
“He’s a smart guy to begin with so he’s picked it up really good,” Guenther said.
While Jordan hasn’t played at all this season while serving a suspension, Guenther said the defensive end has been impressive in practice.
“He should really help us out. He’s real smart and he’s picked up the playbook quick,” Guenther said.
“We looked at him as an inside and outside rusher,” Gruden said. “I don’t know what his overall football shape is without OTAS, training camp, missing 10 weeks of the regular season. But he did come in and really look the part.”
A former No. 3 overall pick in 2013, Jordan has 8.5 sacks in 43 career games. Swearinger has 14 career interceptions, nine forced fumbles and 4.5 sacks in 94 career games.
Injury report
Part of the reason the Raiders are expected to activate Swearinger and Jordan despite both being on the roster for a short time is the state of injuries on the team’s roster.
The Raiders recently placed safety Karl Joseph and defensive end Arden Key on injured reserve, which is part of the reason why Guenther said they will have “all hands on deck this week with the guys we got.”
As for the injuries on the 53-man roster, slot corner Lamarcus Joyner is listed as out with a groin injury after not practicing all week.
Gruden and Guenther said Nevin Lawson along starter Daryl Worley have been working as the slot corner if Joyner can’t play.
“We train those guys to play inside and outside so it shouldn’t be much of an issue,” Guenther said.
The Raiders also have backup tackle David Sharpe
(calf ) listed as out for Sunday’s contest.
Elsewhere on the injury report, starting right tackle Trent Brown (knee) is questionable. He did not participate in Friday’s session after being limited Wednesday and Thursday.
Wide receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris (foot) is also listed as questionable.
The Bengals have four players listed as out: star wide receiver A.J. Green (ankle), cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), tight end Drew Sample (ankle) and guard Alex Redmond (knee/ankle). Defensive tackles Geno Atkins (ankle/knee) and Bobby Hart (shoulder) are questionable.
Contact Myles Simmons at msimmons@reviewjournal. com or 702-383-0350. Follow @Mylesasimmons on Twitter.