Raiders miss four key players in practice — including Trent Brown, Henry Ruggs
There were four names to note on the Raiders injury report Thursday, the first day of serious preparations for their home opener at Allegiant Stadium against the New Orleans Saints.
Right tackle Trent Brown (calf), middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (pectoral), wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (knee) and backup tackle Sam Young (groin) all sat out practice.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden wasn’t giving any clues as to their status for Monday night in their first game in Las Vegas.
“I don’t have anything today,” Gruden said during a zoom conference call.
Brown and Kwiatkoski were to undergo MRIs, and the Raiders, Brown played three snaps and Kwiatkoski 22 in his debut.
Young lasted 15 snaps until he went out with a groin injury, with guard Denzelle Good stepping in as the emergency right tackle. Good had almost no work at tackle other than getting in a few snaps now and then at the behest of line coach Tom Cable in case of a scenario such as the one that transpired in a 34-30 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Given the way Good played against Carolina, he could wind up starting at right tackle against New Orleans if Brown and Young can’t go. The other tackle on the 53-man roster, Brandon Parker, was inactive against Carolina.
In that scenario, backup center Andre James would be the swing guard in back of starters Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson.
In the first half of his NFL debut, Ruggs had three catches for 55 yards in the first half and two rushes for 11 yards in 21 snaps. He played 20 snaps in the second half, but wasn’t targeted after a knee injury. It’s unclear whether Ruggs’ knee issue is serious enough to keep him out against New Orleans.
Three Raiders veterans sat out practice in what is expected to be a season-long policy — center Rodney Hudson, Incognito and tight end Jason Witten.
Players who were listed with injuries but full participants included running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), defensive end Arden Key (knee) and cornerback Damon Arnette (wrist/thumb).
The Raiders had one transaction, returning safety Dallin Leavitt to the practice squad after clearing waivers and releasing Jordan Brown. Leavitt was waived to make room for cornerback Nevin Lawson, who was suspended for the first game.