The Las Vegas Raiders may have come out with an impressive come-from-behind win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, but it came at a cost with the team now dealing with several injuries to key players.
One of those players is backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has been placed on injured reserve by the Raiders, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Raiders have placed QB Marcus Mariota on Injured Reserve, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2021
Although losing Mariota for the next three games isn’t a devastating blow for the Raiders because he was backing up Derek Carr, it does leave the team will little insurance behind their star quarterback. Head coach Jon Gruden may have had plans to use Mariota from time to time as he did on Monday night when the 27-year-old quarterback rushed for 31 yards on one carry against the Ravens.
Mariota reaggravated a quad injury during the one play he was used on the field in Week 1, according to Rapoport.
#Raiders QB Marcus Mariota is expected to be out multiple weeks after aggravating a quad injury during a 31-yard run on Monday night, source said. A few weeks is the best case scenario. This robs Las Vegas of a weapon, as they planned to sprinkle Mariota in on offense.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2021
Along with losing Mariota for the next three weeks, the team also lost Gerald McCoy and Denzelle Good for the season due to injuries suffered in Week 1’s win over Baltimore. McCoy was well on his way to making a successful comeback from an injury that kept him out of the NFL all of last season, but the knee proved costly enough to knock him out for another season, shedding doubt on whether he’ll play again.
The Raiders will also be without star running back Josh Jacobs as they head into Week 2’s clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jacobs is dealing with a toe and ankle injury and has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
Although the Raiders showed promise in their season opener, the team will have their work cut for them moving forward with injuries piling up for the Silver and Black.
