After their embarrassing showing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, the Las Vegas Raiders bounced back in a hard-fought Week 8 victory against the Cleveland Browns.
The weather conditions were far from optimal as heavy winds prevented both teams from airing out the ball. Derek Carr only threw the ball for 112 yards and one touchdown and the Raiders looked to Josh Jacobs to carry the offensive burden. The running back toted the football 31 times for 128 yards.
The offensive line looked much better, finding ways to get push up front to allow Jacobs and the rest of the backfield to run effectively. However, they were missing a key piece when Trent Brown was announced as a surprise inactive before the game.
Brown was slated to start but suddenly came ill and players like Derek Carr and Johnathan Abram noted their reactions to the news, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic:
Derek Carr said the team "was scared for Trent (Brown)" when got sick before the game. "They wheeled him out and we didn't know what what happening."
Johnathan Abram said team got together and said "Let's get this W for Trent."— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) November 1, 2020
Jon Gruden was short when explaining the situation, but added that Brown should be okay:
Gruden: “We're just going to say he got ill here in the locker room. I'm told that everything is OK.”
Brown was slated to start until he got sick.— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) November 1, 2020
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network later provided an update on what happened:
#Raiders OT Trent Brown was hospitalized today after a mishap with his pre-game IV that caused air to enter his bloodstream and required immediate medical attention, per me and @TomPelissero. Brown will stay overnight for further tests.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2020
Luckily, according to Pro Football Talk, Brown was finally released from the hospital on Monday:
Per source, Raiders OT Trent Brown will be discharged from a Cleveland hospital today, a day after a pregame IV mishap put air in his bloodstream.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 2, 2020
It is a concerning moment for the Raiders as Brown was recently activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. The offensive line was forced to quarantine two weeks ago after having close contact with Brown, but luckily no one else contracted the virus.
Brown’s absence has been felt on offense as Carr and the running game have missed his pass protection and run blocking. Sam Young has been filling in in his place and has performed admirably, although is far from the same type of talent that Brown is.
Hopefully Brown is able to overcome this recent mishap and get back on the field sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the Silver and Black draw the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9.
