The Oakland Raiders must take care of business on the road against the Denver Broncos in the 2019 NFL regular-season finale if they hope the stars align for them to make the playoffs.
They have certainly been no stranger to injuries throughout the course of the year and that will not change going into Week 17. Among the notable absences from practice leading up to Sunday have been running back Josh Jacobs and left guard Richie Incognito.
The Raiders should have their work cut out trying to secure a win in Denver. As a result, they are still holding out hope that they will have their key players available.
According to Scott Bair of NBC Sports, Jacobs and Incognito are currently listed as doubtful to play against the Broncos:
The Raiders have designated Josh Jacobs as doubtful to play Denver on Sunday. So will Richie Incognito.
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) December 27, 2019
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden added some good news though as cornerback Trayvon Mullen, wide receiver Tyrell Williams, and safety Lamarcus Joyner will be available to play.
Gruden said Trayvon Mullen, Tyrell Williams, Lamarcus Joyner are going to play the Broncos
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) December 27, 2019
Although Jacobs and Incognito’s status is still up in the air, it is encouraging to see that Oakland will at least have the bulk of their integral players active on each side of the ball.
Jacobs has been nursing a lingering shoulder injury he suffered during the Week 7 loss to the Green Bay Packers. On top that, it was also revealed that he underwent surgery to treat a skin infection of the leg this past week. Fortunately, it is not deemed to be too serious and Gruden is adamant that the rookie’s status will be decided on how his shoulder is feeling.
The Raiders have not had much to hang their hat on in the 2019 campaign. It will be interesting to see if Gruden gives Jacobs one more game to secure his bid for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year now that there has been some doubt cast on his candidacy. Knowing Jacobs’ toughness, he will do everything possible to be on the field in Week 17 even though the final decision is not up to him.
Meanwhile, Incognito was unable to practice all week with an ankle injury. His absence would leave a notable void in an Oakland offensive line that has struggled to stay healthy all year.
Fortunately, Gruden can take solace in the fact that the other aforementioned names will be able to take part in the season finale. The Raiders will need all the help they can get against a Broncos team that is 3-1 with rookie quarterback Drew Lock under center.
Getting Mullen back, in particular, is big as he suffered a scary head/neck injury in the team’s Week 16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. He was carried off in a stretcher but luckily avoided serious injury and will be back on the field this weekend.
