Raiders Dodge a Bullet With Latest Josh Jacobs Shoulder Injury Update
By Andy Loughmiller
Josh Jacobs has been sensational for the Oakland Raiders in 2019. He is still the favorite to take home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award despite not playing in the Raiders' last game.
Jacobs was absent during Oakland's Week 14 matchup vs the Tennessee Titans due to a shoulder injury. However, Raiders fans can rest easy now that Ian Rapoport has reported the results of Jacobs' MRI were considered to be encouraging. The rookie RB is expected to return to the gridiron for the Raiders' Week 15 clash with the Jags.
#Raiders RB Josh Jacobs underwent an MRI on his ailing shoulder after not playing on Sunday. But the scans checked out very positively, sources say, and Jacobs is expected to return to the field this week. Barring a setback, should be just a one-week absence.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2019
The 21-year-old has already surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season. The Jags rush defense ranks towards the bottom of the league, so there's an opportunity for another big outing from the former Crimson Tide standout.
One might assume that sitting Jacobs would be the smart move in this situation considering that the Raiders are 6-7 and a long shot to make the playoffs at this point in the year, but Jon Gruden thinks otherwise.
Asked Gruden if there was a reason to play Josh Jacobs or Trent Brown again this season, as opposed to getting them healthy:
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 9, 2019
“We are trying to win this last game in Oakland. And we’re not eliminated from the playoffs.”
This will be the last home game that the Silver and Black play in the Oakland Coliseum before they move to Las Vegas for 2020 and beyond. Local fans may still be upset with the relocation, but they should at least be assured that the Raiders are going to do everything in their power to give the people of Oakland one more home victory.