The Oakland Raiders are hoping to go out with a bang as they get set to host the Jacksonville Jaguars for their final home game of the 2019 NFL season in Week 15.
Although their playoffs hope were essentially dashed with the three-game losing streak, head coach Jon Gruden admits that this matchup is a must-win since it will be the last game in Oakland. He has put an emphasis on trying to go out on a high note for the fans after coming up short during their final year in Oakland.
Unfortunately, the grind of the 2019 NFL season has taken its toll on the Raiders roster. They are still holding out hope that a few more of their key pieces will be available.
According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, it appears as though Oakland will be shorthanded on offense as Hunter Renfrow will miss his third straight game while Trent Brown and Daryl Worley are questionable:
Gruden said DB Daryl Worley (neck) is “very questionable” for Sunday, RT Trent Brown (pectoral) is questionable and WR Hunter Renfrow (ribs) is out.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 13, 2019
It is safe to say that the Raiders are not exactly sporting the cleanest bill of health going into their matchup with the Jaguars. Regardless, it seems they are still optimistic about the status of the offense in Week 15.
Renfrow appeared to be making strides after missing the last two games with a broken rib and punctured lung he suffered in Week 12. Despite being able to log in some practice time throughout the week, it was not enough for him to get cleared for a return.
Worley has not been able to practice at all due to the neck injury, which hardly bodes well for any plans to play versus Jacksonville. Meanwhile, Brown was finally able to get enough work in to be a limited participant on Friday, however, it remains to be seen if he will be good to go in time for the game due to a pectoral injury that forced him to miss last week’s game.
While all these injuries are hardly ideal, it will be overlooked if running back Josh Jacobs is able to play through a lingering shoulder injury that kept him out of the 42-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. Jacobs has managed to get in some practice time all week and he indicated that everything looks promising:
Josh Jacobs is feeling “alright” and is going to try his best to play. Putting the sweatshirt on was a little bit of a struggle though.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 13, 2019
Asked Jacobs if he was told that shoulder can’t get worse, and he said, “You can say that but this is football.”
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 13, 2019
Regardless, it is safe to assume that the Raiders will continue to take a cautious approach leading up to the kickoff. Even if this game carries some sentimental value, it does not outweigh risking the future of this promising, young rookie.
