Gruden shows his frustration over Brown’s inability to play

Raiders coach Jon Gruden had no injury news to report Monday, but the frustration was in his voice as it pertains to right tackle Trent Brown.

Asked if he was “concerned” given the amount of training camp Brown missed and then playing just three snaps in a 34-30 road win over the Carolina Panthers, Gruden’s response included some dry sarcasm.

“It’s obviously a concern, but I’m good at it,” Gruden said during a Zoom teleconference. “I’m good at being concerned about it. Really good at it.”

Brown was a spectator throughout much of training camp with an injury that was never specified. He missed five games last season with a torn pectoral, finishing on injured reserve. He was listed with a calf in

jury heading in to the Carolina game and was a full participant in practice by the end of the week.

Brown was on the training table after three plays against Carolina, having his right calf worked on. He did not return. Brown’s replacement, Sam Young, lasted 15 snaps before leaving with an undisclosed injury and giving way to Denzelle Good, a guard by trade who had no work at tackle.

Good ended up being Sunday’s unsung hero, performing admirably at a foreign position.

The Raiders also lost middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski after 22 plays because of a pectoral injury. According to an NFL Network report, the injury is not a tear but Kwiatkoski could miss some time. It’s not as severe as was feared initially.

Gruden has not publicly questioned Brown’s ability to play. A calf injury, particularly when it supports a 6-foot-8, 380-pound man, has the potential to be debilitating. As much as Gruden understands that, the Raiders paid Brown a maximum of $66 million over four years, making him temporarily the highest paid lineman in the NFL. Brown’s salary cap number of $21.5 million is the same as quarterback Derek Carr.

While Gruden isn’t saying he thinks Brown could play, it’s important to note what he’s not saying. Gruden is not gushing about all the hard work Brown is doing to get back on the field. Some of that is sheer frustration over not having one of his most valuable players and maybe not entirely fair to Brown.

One thing to understand about Gruden is he

reveres players who play through injury. He’s fond of saying the best ability is availability. Gruden watched with admiration as Kolton Miller fought his way through a rookie season with a knee injury yet played in every game. He is convinced the experience made Miller a better player. Gruden holds center Rodney Hudson in high regard because he’s nearly impossible to get off the field.

Rookie receiver Henry Ruggs III injured a knee late in the first half against Carolina, but he returned to play and finish the game. Ruggs wasn’t targeted as a receiver or given the ball on a run from scrimmage in the second half after flashing the ability that made him the No. 12 pick in the first round of the draft with three catches for 55 yards and two rushes for 11 yards before the injury.

Ruggs played though, and Gruden made note of it Monday.

“I like the fact that he came back and played through something,” Gruden said. “That’s what the great ones do. They play through pain, they play through difficult situations. He did that.”

We’ll know more about Brown on Wednesday, when the Raiders begin preparations to host the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football.” WHO WAS THAT UNMASKED MAN?>> The NFL sent out a memo to all 32 teams threatening discipline for coaches and sideline staff not wearing masks in violation of COVID-19 protocols.

One of those coaches was Gruden.

“I’m sure they’re directing it at me,” Gruden said. “I’ve got to do a better job keeping my mask over my face. It was really hot. You have a headset on and it’s hard to communicate at times with that mask. I’ve

just got to do a better job with that mask.”

VERSATILITY IS GOOD >>

Gruden praised Good for stepping in at tackle after Brown and Young departed. Good started last season at left tackle when Richie Incognito began the season on suspension and later played on the right side in place of Gabe Jackson.

“I’ve never been in a game where you lose two players at one position in the first 10 snaps,” Gruden said. “It’s a credit to him, big time, for being able to not only go out there and finish the game but finish well. He did some good things in pass protection, he did some good things in the running game. When Derek Carr switched the play late he was able to pick it up and get his assignments. So I’m really proud of him.”

PRESSURING THE QUARTERBACK >> The Raiders gave Teddy Bridgewater far too much time to throw with a defensive line that recorded just one sack and seldom pressured the quarterback.

The theory was to use eight bodies and keep players fresh. Eight men played with the following snap counts: Clelin Ferrell (52), Maxx Crosby (51), Maliek Collins (47), Johnathan Hankins (39), Arden Key (29), Carl Nassib (20), Maurice Hurst (20) and Kendal Vickers (9). Ferrell played both end and occasionally inside.

Nassib and Hurst combined for the lone sack. Gruden cited wearing black jerseys in humid weather as a factor but is counting on improvement against the Saints and Drew Brees.

FLORES IN THE BOOTH >>

Former Raiders coach and Hall of Fame candidate Tom Flores will join Brent Musburger and Lincoln Kennedy in the radio booth for Monday’s game, the club announced.