Raiders starting on the right Trent Brown was ruled out for the end of Sunday’s season against the Broncos in Denver due to a knee injury.
Brown, who signed a four-year, $ 66 million contract with the Raiders ahead of the 2019 season, played in just four full games and three snaps in another one this season.
“It’s disappointing, no doubt,” said coach Jon Gruden of Brown’s sporadic availability. “We brought him here and paid him to be LeBron James of the right tackles, and he had a lot of adversity. He had several injuries and that hurt our football team, no doubt. But that is part of this business. “
Brown suffered the injury at the end of the defeat to the Dolphins. He didn’t miss an offensive snap.
During two seasons, Brown played at least 10 snaps in just 14 of 32 games with the Raiders. They are 6-8 when he reaches that limit and 8-9 in all other games with Sunday’s result pending.
Gruden said Sam Young will start in Brown’s place on Sunday.
“We will play against the next player, but we hope to have Trent back and ready to roll over to the next season,” he said. “Trent is a great player. … he just needs to stay healthy and stay healthy. “
Brandon Parker will serve as a reserve for Young and left striker Kolton Miller. Gruden is pleased with Parker’s continued development in his third season.
Parker, a third round pick in 2018, had four games this year.
“Brandon did well,” said Gruden. “Obviously, he has been going through some difficult situations defending the right, defending the left. This swing tackle is hard work. If something happens to Sam or Kolton, we feel like we have a young man in his third year who can come in and help us win a game in either position. “
Left guard Denzelle Good will have a questionable designation for the game, after not practicing all week with an ankle injury.
Gruden said newcomer John Simpson would get the call if Good couldn’t play.
“This (would) be a great assessment for John, no doubt,” said Gruden. “It won’t make or break him, but we like Simpson.”
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (calf) and lateral Lamarcus Joyner (thigh) are questionable.
Security Erik Harris has been activated from the reserve list / COVID-19.
Featured defense
Gruden insisted throughout the week that his focus is on winning Sunday’s game, although both teams were eliminated from the postseason dispute.
It is also another chance for him and general manager Mike Mayock to assess some of the team’s players before an off-season, where many personal decisions will need to be made.
Gruden also wants to see some of the younger players doing a good job on the film before the end of the season.
“I want to see (cornerback newcomer Damon) Arnette play a game and play well,” said Gruden. “I want to see (safety Johnathan) Abram play and play well. I want to see these (defensive) youngsters playing well. (Linebacker) Nick Kwiatkoski will obviously not play, so I’m looking forward to seeing Nick Morrow return. He was probably our best linebacker when he was on the field. “
Jackson honored
Initial point guard Gabe Jackson was named the winner of the Ed Block Courage Raiders for the 2020 season
The award goes to the player of each NFL team who exemplifies and commits to the principles of sportsmanship and courage, as well as the effort of the player off the field and in overcoming great adversities.
The winners are voted by the players of each team.
Ed Block was a famous and longtime humanitarian trainer for the Baltimore Colts.
Contact Adam Hill at [email protected]. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on twitter.