Thin at guard, Raiders prep for test Sunday
Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson enjoyed a luxury while holding the same position last season with the Rams — an offensive line that started the same five players in every game until the team rested its starters for its regular-season finale.
Olson’s experience this season has been a little different, as the Raiders have used 11 players on their offensive line, with the possibility of more change Sunday against the Bengals.
Pro Bowl left guard Kelechi Osemele missed Sunday’s win over the Steelers because of a toe injury. His replacement, Jon Feliciano, suffered a calf injury in the game and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Right guard Gabe Jackson injured his elbow late against Pittsburgh and, like Osemele, has not practiced this week.
Tackle has been the most unsteady position this season for the Raiders, who have started two rookies since Week 5. But the interior line appears to be a bigger unknown this week as they prepare to face a Cincinnati defense that is ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed per game and 25th in sacks despite being led by disruptive defensive tackle Geno Atkins.
“They’ve got a great defensive front — they have for years.” Greg Olson, the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, on the Cincinnati Bengals
“They’ve got a great defensive front — they have for years,” Olson said. “It’s challenging enough when you have the same five guys (on the offensive line). But when you’ve got changes up front, it creates a little bit more of an issue.”
Head coach Jon Gruden said Chaz Green, signed as a free agent Nov. 27, and Denzelle Good, claimed off waivers Dec. 3 from the Colts, are taking practice reps at guard this week. Feliciano was also the Raiders’ backup center, a job that now belongs to Cameron Hunt, who was with the Raiders in training camp and re-signed as a free agent Tuesday.
Green, 26, appeared in 14 games for Dallas last season but had not played this season before Oakland signed him. Good, 27, played in two games with the Colts this season before being waived. Good said Rodney Hudson, the Raiders’ Pro Bowl center, has helped getting the new guards up to speed this week.
“Rodney definitely has his hands in a lot of things on offense,” Good said. “It’s awesome to be able to play beside a player of his caliber. It adds pressure, but it’s not bad pressure.”
Hudson said the additions to the line are “smart kids, smart guys, and they’re working hard. It’s been good so far. We just have to keep building every day.”
Although Osemele has not been present for the short window of practice open to media this week, Jackson has been on hand — wearing a jersey but with no helmet — and observing position drills. Jackson declined Wednesday to talk about his injury but said: “I’m going to be all right.”
Injured on the Raiders’ late game-winning drive against the Steelers, Jackson and Feliciano both finished the game and drew admiration from teammates. Gruden said Monday it “was like out of a movie for me.” Quarterback Derek Carr said that, noticing Jackson’s injury, he offered to call the Raiders’ final timeout but was rebuffed by the guard.
“I was just always taught that something you start, you finish it, especially if it’s a situation that you can finish,” Jackson said. “You’ve just got to bite your teeth and grind through it. But Derek, you know, that’s my guy. Whatever he needs or wants, I’m going to do it or try my best to.”
Regardless of the statuses of Jackson and Osemele, Gruden said the Raiders’ interior line faces a formidable challenge Sunday in Atkins, a six-time Pro Bowl selection who has seven sacks.
“He’s a little bit different than Warren Sapp and some of the (defensive tackles) 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. … The middle of this defense is very, very talented.”
Matt Kawahara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mkawahara@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @matthewkawahara