The Raiders have been hampered with plenty of injuries lately. Most notably the injuries that had Nnamdi Asomugha and Zach Miller out for the game in Pittsburgh two weeks ago. Even with their return last week, both were not themselves with Nnamdi unable to be his usual lockdown corner and Zach struggling to make his cuts cleanly and catch up to passes. Both have had another week to recover and are participating in practice.
Nnamdi had an MRI on his ankle this week and it came back negative, which is very positive. At this point it is just being described as soreness. He was practicing full and is expected to be back healthy for this weekend’s game vs the Chargers.
It is a good think Nnamdi is back too because reserve cornerback Chris Johnson is still not practicing due to his strained groin. The Raider have gotten a taste of just how ill prepared their two rookie corners were when both were thrust into first team duties. Jeremy Ware got toasted in the Pittsburgh game and Walter McFadden was embarrassed against the Dolphins.
Bruce Gradkowski was going to be out for this week’s game regardless but until Thursday it was uncertain what his fate would be after dislocating his throwing shoulder for the second time this season. The results are in with Gradkowski being put on injured reserve which means he is out for the remainder of the season. The team has signed journeyman backup JT O’Sullivan to be the team’s third quarterback with Kyle Boller as Jason Campbell’s primary backup.
The most concerning observation is that starting rookie middle linebacker Rolando McClain did not practice on Friday after suffering a foot injury in practice earlier in the week. This is yet another setback for McClain as he suffered hip injury in the week 9 game against the Chiefs and was still not back to 100% after the bye week vs the Steelers. But he looked to be fully recovered in the Dolphin game. And MRI was taken on the foot and according to Cable, it is arthritis and McClain is questionable for the game. If he can’t go, Ricky Brown will start and we will see a larger helping of Travis Goethel than usual. And even if McClain does play, he will likely be spelled by Brown often.
The Chaz Schilens update is that he has been practicing the last couple weeks and from all indications, he could be ready to go by week 14 in Jacksonville. I will go ahead and take a wait and see approach to this one. And I will believe it when I see it. Probably skeptical then too.
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