PERSONNEL NEWS

Strategy And Personnel

The Sports Xchange

December 14, 2018 at 5:05 pm.

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
OAKLAND RAIDERS

–QUESTIONABLE: DT Maurice Hurst (ankle), G Gabe Jackson (elbow, ankle), G Kelechi Osemele (toe), LB Kyle Wilber (hamstring)
CINCINNATI BENGALS

–OUT: LB Vontaze Burfict (concussion)

–DOUBTFUL: CB KeiVarae Russell (finger)

–QUESTIONABLE: T Cordy Glenn (back), DE Michael Johnson (concussion), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (ankle), CB Tony McRae (concussion)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Seth Roberts. Roberts has been a valuable No. 3 receiver for the Raiders the last few seasons and when Amari Cooper was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys at the trade deadline, it seemed to give Roberts the break he needed. However, he has been slowed by injuries this season, but last week against the Steelers, he caught five passes for 76 yards, including a clutch 39-yarder between two Pittsburgh safeties at the 7-yard-line to set the Raiders up for their game-winning touchdown. Roberts has 35 receptions for 420 yards and two touchdowns this season and could be a big factor for the Raiders in their last three games.

GAME PLAN: The Raiders (3-10), who are bidding for their first two-game winning streak this season, will be looking to take advantage of the Cincinnati defense, which is last in the NFL in total defense, allowing 421.9 yards per game and last in scoring defense at 30.5 points per game. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who has not thrown an interception in his last eight games, will try to pick apart the Cincinnati defense with his throws to tight end Jared Cook, who leads the team with 14 catches for 216 yards in the last two games, and wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who has come on strong with 16 receptions for 145 yards in those two games. The Raiders will mix in runs with backs Doug Martin and Jalen Richard.

On defense, the Raiders have not had much of a pass rush this season, but will have to put some pressure on Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel, who made his first start last week with starter Andy Dalton on the injured reserve list because of a thumb injury. It would help if defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, who leads the Raiders with four sacks, is able to play after missing the Pittsburgh game because of an ankle injury. With star wide receiver A.J. Green also going on IR this week because of an injured toe, the Bengals will have to rely on running back Joe Mixon, who has rushed 180 times this season for 866 yards and six touchdowns.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

–Raiders run defense vs. Bengals RB Joe Mixon. Mixon must be looking forward to facing the Raiders, who are last in the NFL in rushing defense at 144.5 yards per game. He finished with 111 yards on 26 carries (a 4.3-yard average) and a touchdown, and added 27 yards on five catches last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was his fifth game of the season with 115 or more yards from scrimmage. For the season, Mixon has carried 180 cards for 866 yards and six touchdowns.

–Raiders OL vs. Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap and DT Geno Atkins. Quarterback Derek Carr has been sacked a career-high 42 times this season behind an injury-plagued offensive line that is young in several spots, and will have their hands full with Dunlap and Atkins. Dunlap has eight sacks this season and 72.5 for his career, while Atkins has seven sacks this year and 68 for his career, including two in games against the Raiders. He leads NFL defensive tackles in sacks since 2010.

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