Some Injuries Will Affect Raiders More Than Others Against Saints

Nobody can predict injuries in the game of football. However, teams can prepare for them and adjust to the best of their capabilities. Heading into Week 2, the Las Vegas Raiders need to prepare to be without a few key contributors. 

The Raiders suffered some losses on their way to a win in Week 1

The Raiders won their season opener against the Carolina Panthers, but it came with a price. Right tackle Trent Brown played some snaps before he sustained a calf injury. Backup offensive linemen Sam Young would follow suit and suffer a groin injury. Later, rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III left with a knee injury and didn’t get any more snaps despite coming back. Last but not least, linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski missed the second half after exiting with a pectoral injury.

Brown may or may not play against the New Orleans Saints and appears as questionable in the injury report, but Denzelle Good played well in his absence. Were Brown not to suit up on Monday Night Football, Good will likely get the starting nod. The Raiders listed Young as doubtful ahead of the game, so third-year tackle Brandon Parker will likely be the backup.

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Ruggs said after the Panthers game that he felt good was going to be fine and is listed as doubtful. We don’t know the severity of his injury, but the Raiders have good depth at the wide receiver position. Fellow rookie Bryan Edwards could play a bigger role against the Panthers and so could sophomore Hunter Renfrow.

One injury is more meaningful than the others

There could be a decrease in production at right tackle and wide receiver, there’s no doubt about that, but the Raiders can overcome Brown’s and Ruggs’ absence. Alas, we can’t say the same about Kwiatkoski. There’s a big drop from him to back up Nicholas Morrow and as good as Raekwon McMillan is against the run, he’s a liability in coverage.

99 percent of players listed as doubtful missed the game. Based on that, Ruggs will play on Monday Football but Brown and Young won’t. The same is true for Kwiatkoski, who could miss the Raiders Week 2 matchup. Regardless of who suits up, the Silver and Black have their hands full against the Saints.

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Top Photo: Las Vegas Raiders official YouTube channel