Coming into the season, there were some questions and concerns about the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense, particularly the secondary. There have certainly been some ups and downs so far, but without a doubt, one of the standouts on that side of the ball has been cornerback Nate Hobbs.
Hobbs currently ranks second on the Raiders in tackles with 36 and passes defensed with two while recording a sack and forced fumble. On Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, Hobbs again displayed his toughness in returning from injury.
Hobbs would post on his Instagram story that he had suffered broken bones in his hand but told the team doctors to do whatever was necessary for him to return to the field, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:
“Lot of [people] would’ve folded,” Hobbs wrote Wednesday. “Broke bones in my hand and had a choice. I told them do whatever they had to do to put me back on the field [with] my brothers. I’ll figure the rest out myself. I done took my share of L’s and stood face to face with enough fear. I AIN’T HIDING I’M RIGHT HERE.”
Hobbs was initially ruled as questionable to return to the game with a thumb injury but would get back on the field with a cast on his hand and play 57 of 72 snaps, recording nine tackles in the contest. The good news for Hobbs is that the Raiders are on their bye week, which gives him some extra time to heal up.
Nonetheless, this shows the heart and desire of Hobbs to be great and perform for this Raiders team. Things haven’t quite gone their way so far as they sit at 1-4, but those four losses have come by a combined 14 points, so if they can make just a couple of tweaks and another play here and there, things can turn around for the silver and black.
The Raiders pass defense must improve in every aspect if they want to turn things around. The team is near the bottom of the league in interceptions and pressuring the quarterback, and that must change. But with players like Hobbs showing that level of commitment, fans can rest assured that the team will put in all the necessary work to do just that.
