Gruden: Team gets ‘jolt’ from return of Incognito

Guard Richie Incognito rejoined the Raiders on Monday after serving a twogame suspension to start the season for violating the NFL’s personalconduct policy.

“That’s a big plus for us,” head coach Jon Gruden said.

The Raiders have been without Incognito, their starting left guard, and starting right guard Gabe Jackson, who is recovering from a left knee MCL injury suffered Aug. 8. Gruden also sounded encouraged by Jackson’s progress.

“I don’t think he’ll play this week, but he’s getting closer and closer to returning,” Gruden said. “So, to have Richie back gives us a jolt. And hopefully sooner than later, we’ll get Gabe back as well.”

Incognito declined comment in the Raiders’ locker room Monday, saying he’d talk to reporters later in the week. According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Raiders were granted a roster exemption after Incognito’s suspension was lifted Monday, meaning they do not have to make a corresponding roster move to activate him until later in the week. Hot start: Through two games, defensive end Benson Mayowa (3.5 sacks) has nearly matched the Raiders’ top individual sack total from last season of four by Maurice Hurst.

Mayowa sacked Denver’s Joe Flacco twice in Week 1 and had 1½ sacks in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs. Mayowa also forced a fumble in each of those games, which — according to the Raiders — makes Mayowa the team’s first player since 1982 with at least one sack and one forced fumble in each of his first two games in a season.

Gruden was asked Monday what has made Mayowa, whose career high in sacks is six in 2016 with Dallas, so effective early.

“Effort, No. 1,” Gruden said. “He’s a great effort player. He goes the same speed every snap. I credit everybody up front. (Clelin) Ferrell has gone inside and rushed a lot, perhaps that helps (Mayowa). But I think his motor, his getoff, his tenacity, his ability to finish plays is a big part of his success, always has been.” Injury report: Gruden said he did not yet know “the exact severity” of the ankle injury suffered by receiver Dwayne Harris, who was hurt on punt coverage in the first half Sunday. Harris lined up as a kick returner after the injury but did not field the kick and didn’t finish the game.

Other players being evaluated Monday, Gruden said, included running back Josh Jacobs (groin), receiver Tyrell Williams (hip pointer) and right tackle Trent Brown (sore knee). Brown played 51 of 65 offensive snaps Sunday.