Raiders searching for answers in secondary as Hobbs hits IR

Due to many injuries during the course of the season, the Las Vegas Raiders secondary hasn’t had its full set of players at their disposal. Star CB Nate Hobbs, who was put on injured reserve Monday, has now been added to the list of injured players.

Despite Hobbs stating on his Instagram that he was going to battle through the injury, it seems like the Raiders are taking the cautious route with him. Hobbs is a player that uses his hands to his advantage in coverage and tackling, and with an apparent hand injury, the injury was deemed too significant to continue playing through.

Hobbs, a crucial member of Patrick Graham’s defense, will be a big loss for the Raiders during his recovery. Replacing the output and coverage he offers will be a big challenge for Graham and the defense.

The Raiders made a corresponding move by releasing Bryce Crosby off the practice squad in order to add CB Tevaughn Campbell. While Hobbs is out with an injury, Campbell, who most recently played for the Los Angeles Chargers, will offer some depth.

CB Rock Ya-Sin has performed well thus far and wants to take on more responsibility. CB Amik Robertson and Anthony Averett are the ones most likely to receive more opportunities in Hobbs’ absence. Robertson has played more in recent weeks and will have even more opportunities to succeed. Averett is more of a question mark, as he has missed the past four weeks with a thumb injury, but he is eligible to return to practice and play if cleared.

Ya-Sin and Averett as the outside cornerbacks and Robertson as the slot corner would be the likely group for the Raiders if Averett is scheduled to go.

CB Sam Webb is another option, an undrafted rookie out of Missouri Western. During the Raiders’ preseason, Webb was one of the team’s star players. Due to Hobbs’ injury, he may finally get his shot after being trapped at the bottom of the depth chart.

Additionally, general manager Dave Ziegler has the option to trade for a starter like Panthers CB Jaycee Horn, Commanders CB William Jackson III, or Seahawks CB Sidney Jones, all of whom have been linked to other teams before the trade deadline. The most likely answer, though, will be an in-house replacement.

Ziegeler and company will have to find more depth or a starter before they host the Houston Texans at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 23.