Raiders will be without Henry Ruggs III against Patriots
Henry Ruggs III, the Raiders’ first-round draft pick out of Alabama who caught a deep ball in the first half of his first game and has been beset by injuries ever since, won’t play in Sunday’s road game against the New England Patriots.
Judging from the injury report, Ruggs strained a hamstring during Thursday’s practice. He was a full participant Wednesday, listed with a knee injury sustained in the opener against Carolina, then was limited Thursday. Ruggs didn’t practice at all Friday, and was listed as “out” on the official injury report that was released after coach Jon Gruden met briefly through Zoom teleconference with the media.
Also out are right tackle Trent Brown and middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, both for the second straight week.
Four key players were listed as questionable, including the Raiders’ two most consistent skill position performers — running back Josh Jacobs and tight end Darren Waller.
Jacobs is the NFL co-leader in touches with 59 (52 runs, seven receptions) along with Tennesee’s Derrick Henry, and Waller’s 18 receptions are second in the NFL to DeAndre Hopkins of Arizona (22).
Jacobs was having his hip worked on by athletic trainers in the fourth quarter of a 34-24 win over New Orleans Monday night, although he returned to the game. Waller has a knee injury. Both made their first appearance at practice Friday and both were limited.
“They practiced a little bit,” Gruden said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how it goes in the next day or too.”
Also questionable is guard/tackle Denzelle Good (thumb/illness) and tackle Sam Young (groin). Their availability will determine the makeup of the Raiders offensive line in a week without both Brown and Richie Incognito, who went on injured reserve with an Achilles’ injury.
Ruggs played 49 snaps against New Orleans and caught one pass for four yards. He also drew a 29-yard penalty on Janoris Jenkins on a fourth-quarter deep strike attempt from Carr that set up a 54-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson that put the game away.
The Raiders’ fastest player, Ruggs caught a 45-yard pass in the first quarter of his first game and had three catches for 55 yards and two rushes for 11 yards at halftime. Ruggs hurt his knee just before half and was not targeted in the second half, although he played 20 snaps.
His absence means veterans Nelson Agholor and Zay Jones, both of whom have touchdowns in limited snaps, could get increased playing time. Also available is Rico Gafford, who has been inactive Weeks 1 and 2 but is the closest to approximating Ruggs as a downfield threat.
“Two veteran players that came from different teams that understand what their role is,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said of Agholor and Jones Thursday. “They’ve been a great example for our young receivers . . . we’ve got depth there which has really been an added bonus.”
WHAT. A. CATCH.@zayjones11 for six! #RaiderNation#NOvsLV | Live on @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/fWDevp616I
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 22, 2020
Jones, who had a 15-yard touchdown catch against the Saints, promised to be ready when his number is called.
“We just have to stay ready at any point in time. It’s a long season, long games, so just being ready when our number’s called and capitalzing on opportunities that both of us get,” Jones said.”That’s my focus and I’m sure it’s Nelson’s as well.”
If Gruden knows how the offensive line will shake out Sunday, he’s not saying.
One option would be for Young to play at right tackle and Good to assume Incognito’s spot at left guard. If the Raiders want to keep Good at right tackle after two strong games, they could play rookie John Simpson of Clemson at left guard. Simpson acquitted himself well against the Saints in 69 snaps after Incognito determined he couldn’t play.
“You know, it’s a mystery,” Gruden said. “We don’t know who’s up at any position. We’re hoping we can find five starters that are healthy and ready to go.”
CATCHING UP TO CARR
Raiders fullback Alec Ingold believes offensive efficiency is up because the unit is finally catching up to the brainpower of quarterback Derek Carr
“Derek is one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around, and I think last year a lot of the struggles, it was us,” Ingold said. “It was the guys around him not being able to step up and play to his cognitive level. Now guys have been in the system a little bit longer. We’ve worked in the off-season together. We’re able to play to his full potential.”