PERSONNEL NEWS

Strategy And Personnel

The Sports Xchange

November 15, 2018 at 12:24 am.

PLAYER NOTES

–WR Martavis Bryant (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday.

–CB Gareon Conley (groin) was limited in practice Wednesday.

–G/C Jon Feliciano (ribs) took part in full practice Wednesday for the first time in more than a week.

–WR/RS Dwayne Harris (foot) took part in full practice Wednesday.

–C Rodney Hudson (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday.

–G Gabe Jackson (pectoral) took part in full practice Wednesday.

–RB Doug Martin (hip) took part in full practice Wednesday.

–OT Kolton Miller (knee/elbow) took part in full practice Wednesday.

–WR Jordy Nelson (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday.

–G/T Kelechi Osemele (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

–LB Kyle Wilber (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

–CB Daryl Worley (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RT Brandon Parker. This third-round rookie out of North Carolina A&T made his first start in Week 5, replacing veteran Donald Penn, who was put on injured reserve. Parker has had issues, both with injuries and just holding up to NFL competition, but the Raiders believe he will grow into the job, hopefully while quarterback Derek Carr is still healthy.

GAME PLAN: The Raiders’ most consistently successful moments against the Chargers were when they pounded the rock with hard-running Doug Martin, who is emerging after the loss of Marshawn Lynch (IR, groin). Martin, who gained more than 1,400 yards in 2015, is showing some of that ability when given the chance. The Raiders offense must eat up time on the clock with runs and dallying at the line of scrimmage because their defense is poor. In the first quarter against the Chargers they dominated time of possession, partly thanks to quarterback Derek Carr letting the play clock go to two seconds before most snaps.

On defense, the Raiders would dearly like to find a way to discombobulate Arizona rookie quarterback Josh Rosen with some semblance of a pass rush. Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is tied for the most sacks among rookie interior defenders (3) and is tied for third with eight total QB pressures. But the Raiders have only eight sacks on the season, one more than dearly departed (to Chicago Bears) Khalil Mack has all by himself. Expect an unpredictable front seven, with varied blitzes and underneath zone coverage in an attempt to complicate life for Rosen.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH

–Raiders CBs Gareon Conley and Daryl Worley vs. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald. Conley is beginning to show hints of why the Raiders drafted him in the first round (No. 24) out of Ohio State last year, but he was limited in practice Wednesday (groin). Worley began the season on a league-mandated four-game suspension and is also starting to play up to expectations. They will both need to be on top of their game against Fitzgerald, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, who has caught 40 passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns this year. Fitz will line up anywhere and run any pattern.

–Raiders receivers – whomever is healthy — vs. Cardinals pass defense. Raiders WRs Marcel Ateman (rookie), Brandon LaFell, Seth Roberts and TE Jared Cook will not have the help of WRs Martavis Bryant and probably Jordy Nelson, both injured. The Raiders haven’t scored a touchdown of any kind in nine quarters and the Cardinals defense has allowed only 11 touchdown passes this season — tied for fewest in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. The Cardinals unleash a strong pass rush in front of an aggressive secondary.

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