Seven players on verge of being cleared to play
Seven Raiders defensive players were removed from the COVID-19 reserve list Saturday and need only to test negative one more time to be available to face the Kansas City Chiefs today.
Safety Joh nat ha n Abram, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, defensive end Arden Key, defensive end/tackle Kendal Vickers and defensive end David Irving tested negative for the coronavirus and are in line to play as the Raiders (6-3, 3- 0 in the AFC West host the Kansas City Chiefs (8-1, 2-1).
The last step is a negative test on game day, which seems likely given they’ve tested negative all week and have been in isolation.
Irving was promoted to the 53-man roster Saturday along with linebacker Javin White and defensive lineman Chris Smith. The seven players missed practice all week for contact tracing purposes after defensive end Clelin Ferrell had a positive test.
Nickel corner Lamarcus Joyner was taken off the COVID-19 list Friday and should also face the Chiefs.
Players not expected to be available while on the COVID-19 reserve list include Ferrell, linebacker Cory Littleton and offensive tackle Trent Brown. One player was added to the list — practice squad running back Theo Riddick.
The returning players viewed practice film and kept abreast of game plan developments v ir tually while not being on the field with their teammates. ABRAM FINED >> Abram, who was penalized twice and appeared to be the instigator in a scuffle that led to two ejections, was fined $15,000 for unnecessary roughness, according to an NFL source.
Also fined was Johnson, who was docked $4,945 for throwing a punch at Denver’s Tim Patrick. Early in the fourth quarter, Abram shoved Patrick, who retaliated, causing Johnson to step in. Patrick, who was also ejected, was fined $4,412.
Abram was called for an illegal blindside block against Davontae Harris that negated a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by Hunter Renfrow and then with 9:06 to go received a personal foul for hitting a defenseless player while driving on a pass from Drew Lock to DaeSean Hamilton.
After the game, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the illegal blindside block call on Abram was warranted.
“I didn’t think it was a necessary hit. We have to learn from these plays. Players’ safety has been emphasized, and it has been emphasized over and over. We didn’t need to make that type of play there, and I think John knows that,” Gruden said. “As much as I love him, we still have to control his enthusiasm a little bit. He’s a great kid. He wants to be a great Raider. I think today our fans can see why we gave him that number. He made some impact plays. I think he could’ve pulled off there without a doubt.”