Raiders' potential starter sustains season-ending injury
The Las Vegas Raiders have a clear weakness on offense. It is on the offensive line. Their depth is lacking, and a couple of the starting spots are certainly in question, too. Brandon Parker, a potential starter at offensive tackle, suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the preseason. The Raiders placed him on the season-ending […]
The Las Vegas Raiders have a clear weakness on offense. It is on the offensive line. Their depth is lacking, and a couple of the starting spots are certainly in question, too. Brandon Parker, a potential starter at offensive tackle, suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the preseason. The Raiders placed him on the season-ending injured reserve list today.
Parker was pushing for a starting role until his injury. Now, the position is even cloudier for the Raiders. They need someone to step up as the tackle opposite of Kolton Miller. No one has so far, and Parker is no longer in the running for the job.
Currently, the free agent and trade options are dim at the position. That being said, the Raiders probably do need to bring in a candidate or two to compete for the job.
The timing is what makes it the most difficult. The preseason is now over, and the regular season is just around the corner.
Second-year player Alex Leatherwood projects to be the starter at OT, but his name has surfaced in roster cut/trade rumors recently. Accordingly, rookie Thayer Munford Jr. or veteran Jermaine Eluemunor may get the first opportunity as the starter to begin the season. Munford Jr. is dealing with an injury of his own.
The Raiders need to get their starting offensive line figured out quickly. They play in arguably the best division in football, and every game will be vital for playoff positioning. They have postseason aspirations, but their OL could hold them back if it sits they way it currently does for much longer.
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