The Las Vegas Raiders were relatively healthy during preseason and training camp, but the injury bug caught up to them during their Week 1 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Three offensive and three defensive players were banged up for the Raiders. LB Denzel Perryman, S Tre’von Moehrig, CB Anthony Averett, RB Brandon Bolden, and WR DJ Turner all left the game with injuries and didn’t return. C Andre James was injured during the last offensive play and was taken to the hospital after the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
Perryman, Moehrig, and James are all starters and any absences from them will hurt the Raiders.
Head coach Josh McDaniels gave some updates on the injuries.
“[Andre] is back, which is a good thing,” McDaniels said. “I haven’t met with Chris yet, we obviously came out with some bumps and bruises.”
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Averett will be sidelined for a month. The cornerback broke his thumb and will likely be heading to the injured reserve. Knowing Anthony Averett is hurt, the Raiders made two corresponding moves to their cornerback room.
Early on Monday morning, the Raiders signed nine-year veteran CB Nickell Robey-Coleman. Robey-Coleman has played in 127 games and started 30 in his career. He also was part of the 2018 Rams Super Bowl run. Later on in the day, they claimed CB Javelin Guidry from the Cardinals. Guidry has appeared in 28 games over his two-year career in the NFL.
The Raiders now have choices to make with how they use their corners. Outside CB Rock Ya-Sin and slot CB Nate Hobbs will be on the field a lot. Hobbs is coming off a great game against the Chargers, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be moved out of his slot role to the outside while Averett recovers, a move that Hobbs is capable of making. The Raiders’ new cornerbacks, and the current ones on the roster, will have their opportunity to start for the Raiders where Hobbs isn’t slated to start at.
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