The potential Rookie of the Year, Josh Jacobs will not likely play against the Dever Broncos this upcoming Sunday. That doesn’t mean the Oakland Raiders will be helpless. On the contrary, they can win in spite of their featured back possibly missing the game.
Earlier today, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Jacobs is not expected to play this Sunday. This news come after a hectic week in which the running back uploaded pictures onto Instagram that showed he had a procedure done.
After missing a couple of games due to a shoulder injury he’s had since Week 7, it was believed he had gotten a procedure when it was reported he had surgery.
Related: WR Hunter Renfrow injects life into Raiders anemic offense
At the end, it was an infection. Regardless of the alignment, Jacobs is not expected in to play in Week 17 after missing the previous match against the Chargers, which Oakland won without the running back.
The Raiders are definitely a better team with the rookie at the helm than without him, but as they showed at Los Angeles, they have the weapons to make up for the rookie’s absence.
One playmaker whom will be at Oakland’s disposal is Hunter Renfrow, who after missing three and a half games due to a rib injury, made his impact felt immediately against the Chargers. He had his best game of the season and also elevated his teammates game. Wide receiver Tyrell Williams, who has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, had four catches for 82 yards while the Raiders not so secret weapon, Darren Waller didn’t have to carry the passing offense on his shoulders.
Moreover, quarterback Derek Carr played well away from home. Even though Raider Nation showed in masses, it was still (and officially) not a home game.
All this offensive synchrony doesn’t mean Oakland will win at Mile High as the Broncos, led by a rookie of their own, have been playing solid football in the second half of the year. However, the Raiders have playmakers that can patch the offense up while Jacobs gets a well deserved rest.
Oakland has a shot at sweeping Denver this season as they have already beaten them at Alameda. The team’s young core should be able to overcome Jacobs unavailability, but Raiders brass should be excited about the potential this team will have once the offensive nucleus all in the field at once.
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