With just one more game left in the preseason, the Las Vegas Raiders continue to be without last year’s leading rusher, Josh Jacobs. You might say that it’s only preseason, but the fact is, having missed out on all of the team’s offseason activities could impact Jacobs’ readiness for the season. That is, assuming he suits up for Week 1. Unfortunately, coming off the heels of a big win on Saturday, head coach Josh McDaniels was unable to give much of an update regarding Jacobs.
“I don’t have any new news on JJ [Josh Jacobs].”
There you have it; nothing has changed with Jacobs, and August will soon be coming to an end. In terms of whether missing time in the offseason and preseason will affect No. 8, McDaniels didn’t mince words, noting that any player can’t simply pick up the ball and just run out there.
How much longer will the Raiders and Josh Jacobs let this drag out?
“I mean, I would say that I think that it’s important for every player. This is the NFL, so it’s not easy to go out there and just play games and do it at the speed and level that you want to do it at unless you’ve really had enough opportunity to get yourself ready to do that.”
No matter where you land on the argument surrounding Jacobs’ future, there’s no denying that things don’t always work out for players who hold out. Now, if he signs and shows up for Week 1 in Denver, all of this will likely be for naught. On the other hand, how much longer can the Raiders afford to let this drag on? McDaniels spoke of having an opportunity to get ready, and no one’s taking more advantage of this besides Zamir White. The second-year man has been the de facto RB1 this preseason. Still, he leaves a lot to be desired. Let’s face it, it’s hard to come in and replace someone like Jacobs.
AOC has been tremendous in his first start. He’s been accurate, he’s made good decisions, been more elusive than expected, all in all he’s been really solid.
Zamir white looks like a great power back and certainly a phenomenal #2. But he isn’t good enough to not pay Josh Jacobs.
— Phil Robinson III (@PhilRobinsonIII) August 13, 2023
White averaged four yards per rushing attempt (10 carries) against the Los Angeles Rams, but he’s just not as explosive as Jacobs, nor can he break tackles the way Jacobs does. Well, not yet, at least. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur did recently predict Jacobs would report to the team prior to Week 1 on the Rich Eisen Show. All things considered; this is shaping up to be the best-case scenario at this point.
*Top Photo: Getty Images