The Las Vegas Raiders selecting Oregon interior offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft was seen as an excellent pick. In fact, many felt that Powers-Johnson would immediately be slotted in as the team’s starting left guard next to Kolton Miller.
While that still may be the case, Powers-Johnson has yet to appear for the Raiders during training camp as he started off camp on the PUP list due to a concussion. But it now looks as if he is fully recovered and ready to show the Raiders and everyone else what he is all about.
According to Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce announced that the team has activated Powers-Johnson from the PUP list and he will participate in his first practice of training camp:
Pierce said #Raiders G Jackson Powers-Johnson has been activated from the PUP list and will practice today. He’s been out since OTAs due to a concussion.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) August 15, 2024
This is a bit earlier than expected, as Pierce had recently spoken about hoping to get Powers-Johnson and Miller back following the Raiders’ preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys this Saturday. While this doesn’t mean Powers-Johnson will be suiting up, it does bode well for his chances to be ready once the regular season begins in a few weeks.
The Raiders have a ton of offensive talent at the skill positions, but if the offensive line can’t hold up, then that won’t matter. Pierce is all about being physical and winning the battles in the trenches, and Powers-Johnson fits that mold perfectly.
The Raiders listed Cody Whitehair as the starting left guard in its first unofficial preseason depth chart, but that was almost certainly due to Powers-Johnson being on the PUP list. Assuming he stays on track and fully recovers, the rookie will be in the lineup, solidifying that offensive line and giving the Raiders some extra juice in the trenches.
Antonio Pierce says Raiders hope to name starting QB after second preseason game
It would seem unlikely that Jackson Powers-Johnson will be on the field for Saturday’s preseason game against the Cowboys, but things for the offense should hopefully begin falling into place after that. And not just on the offensive line, but most importantly, at quarterback.
Head coach Antonio Pierce says the team hopes to name its starting quarterback between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell after the second preseason game. If that is the case, the Raiders will have plenty of time to get everyone on the same page before the preseason finale and the regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 8.
