The injury bug has found its way onto the Oakland Raiders roster as the team announced that offensive lineman Denzelle Good was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after undergoing back surgery.
One of the Raiders weakest spots last season was their offensive line and so far this season, it has just gotten weaker. Good was expected to compete for the starting left guard job, but now will instead miss a significant amount of time.
According to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Good will miss one or two months:
Raiders GM Mike Mayock said LG Denzelle Good is a month or two away from resuming football activities. Underwent back surgery. Could miss start of season.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 26, 2019
Good was cut by the Indianapolis Colts and quickly picked up by the Raiders in early December of last year. He played four games for the Silver and Black and started three, making him a potential starter for 2019.
This season, the Raiders have made sure that even with injuries their offensive line will be able to protect quarterback Derek Carr. Signing tackle Trent Brown and guard Richie Incognito helped add some much-needed strength. However, nothing on the offensive line has been straight forward for the Raiders.
Incognito has already been suspended two regular-season games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Incognito is expected to be the team’s starting left guard, although someone will have to take his place for the first two games of the season.
The absence of Incognito and Good has left a gap at left guard, and Gehlken has reported that Jonathan Cooper will most likely start at there to begin the year:
Recent signing Jonathan Cooper could be starting LG to begin season with Denzelle Good recovering and Richie Incognito suspended first two games.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 26, 2019
The Raiders are Cooper’s fifth team in six seasons after being drafted seventh overall in 2013. The veteran guard found himself without a team at the start of last season but ended up playing four games with the Washington Redskins.
Depending on the play of Cooper and how Incognito performs in Training Camp, Cooper could remain in the starting position until head coach Jon Gruden feels a change is necessary. Incognito is reportedly on a “prove it” contract and will have to earn his role with the team this season.
