Raiders News: Donald Penn Placed On Injured Reserve Due To Groin Injury
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders right tackle Donald Penn has played through the 2018 NFL season with a number of injuries. Unfortunately, it appears he will need to finally take some time off starting this week.

Penn was sidelined due to a groin injury versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Oakland is expected to place him on injured reserve:

The Raiders are placing starting RT Donald Penn on Injured Reserve because of a groin injury he suffered on Sunday, sources say. The timeline of the injury would allow him to return this season.

The groin injury is just the latest in a laundry list of injuries Penn has been dealing with. This was the second time he was unable to finish a game after suffering a concussion last week on top of a lingering foot injury. The eight weeks off should give him more than enough time to heal and make a comeback. However, it remains to be seen what the situation will be by then.

Needless to say, the update deals quite a blow to the Raiders offense. His designation could not have come at a worse time. This group finally managed to find its footing with a 45-point outing against a talented Browns defense in Week 4. Although Penn was forced to switch positions this offseason, he was still one of the more serviceable options in the league.

Fortunately, the Raiders managed to find both of Penn’s replacements in the 2018 NFL Draft. His first was left tackle Kolton Miller, who Oakland had taken with the No. 15 overall pick. They got his other replacement with their third-round pick in right tackle Brandon Parker. Head coach Jon Gruden recently admitted that he wishes the Raiders had drafted Derwin James. However, it appears that their offensive line-heavy approach has already started to pay dividends.

Follow @RaidersNationCom on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram