After drafting Josh Jacobs out of Alabama with the No. 24 overall pick, the Oakland Raiders’ running back depth chart looked to be shaping up pretty nicely.
Despite not having plans to bring back veterans Marshawn Lynch or Doug Martin, Jacobs was expected to be the team’s starter, and they also signed veteran Isaiah Crowell to a one-year contract to back him up in addition to re-signing Jalen Richard to handle passing duties as he has the last few seasons for Oakland.
Training camp hasn’t even started though and the Raiders are down a running back as according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Crowell tore his Achilles tendon during a workout and is expected to miss the entire season:
Raiders’ RB Isaiah Crowell tore his Achilles during a workout with the team Monday and is out for the season, per source. Crowell will undergo season-ending surgery next week. Brutal blow for a player who signed a one-year contract with Oakland.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 1, 2019
This is obviously a tough blow for the Raiders, who will now be counting on the rookie Jacobs even more than was expected.
Crowell played in 13 games for the Jets last year, carrying the ball 143 times for 685 yards and six touchdowns while adding 21 receptions for 152 yards. In his five-year NFL career, Crowell had averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
It will be interesting to see if Crowell’s injury opens the door for a reunion between Lynch and the Raiders. It was recently reported that Lynch was planning to retire, but he hasn’t made anything official yet.
Some other available players include Martin, Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount, Bilal Powell and Charcandrick West, who recently worked out with Oakland.
