Raiders’ Jacobs to miss game against Steelers
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will miss Sunday’s game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh because of injuries to his toe and ankle.
Jacobs didn’t practice all week after rushing for 34 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening 33-27 overtime win over Baltimore on Monday.
The Raiders gave free agent Kenyan Drake an $11 million, two-year contract this offseason to give the team another option out of the backfield with Jacobs, but Las Vegas head coach John Gruden said Friday that Peyton Barber also will take a big load.
“We really like Barber,” Gruden said. “We think he’s a heck of a back. … I like the way he runs and catches and picks up blitzes. Kenyan will continue to play a role in our system no matter who the other back is, and we’re excited about this opportunity to see what we have.”
Whoever runs the ball will be doing it behind a makeshift line. Right guard Denzelle Good went on injured reserve this week with a season-ending knee injury and left guard Richie Incognito will be sidelined for a second straight week with a calf injury.
Jermaine Eluemunor, who started 11 games for Baltimore and New England the previous four seasons, will play right guard. Second-year player John Simpson is set to make his fourth career start at left guard.
Rookie right tackle Alex Leatherwood has started one game and center Andre James will be making his third career start, leaving left tackle Kolton Miller as the only experienced member of the line starting against the Steelers.
COVID updates: The Saints announced that they will be without seven assistant coaches for Sunday’s game against the Panthers because of a coronavirus outbreak. The group includes wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson, tight ends coach Dan Roushar, running backs coach Joel Thomas and offensive line coach Brendan Nugent.
Head coach Sean Payton said all seven of the affected coaches have been vaccinated. Medical report: Green Bay linebacker Za’Darius Smith, a Pro Bowler the past two seasons, will be sidelined for at least three games after being place on injured reserve because of a back injury. The list of players landing on IR also includes linebacker Kwon Alexander (elbow) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (shoulder injury) of the Saints, Browns linebacker Anthony Walker (hamstring), Chargers tackle Bryan Bulaga (hip) and Ravens cornerback Chris Westry (knee) . ... Jets tackle Mekhi Becton will be sidelined for at least four weeks because of a knee injury suffered in a Week 1 loss to the Panthers . ... Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was placed in concussion protocol and will miss Sunday’s game against Cardinals after he was involved in a car accident while swerving to miss a deer Thursday morning, head coach Mike Zimmer said. Other players ruled out for games this weekend include Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee), Eagles safety Rodney McLeod (knee), Jaguars cornerback Tre Herndon (knee) and Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes (calf ).