The Raiders are heading into Week 5 with more moving parts than they’d probably like, and Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots comes with a few lineup questions that could shape how the offense looks from the jump.
The biggest one starts in the backfield. Ashton Jeanty did not practice Friday because of ankle and foot injuries, and the rookie has been dealing with the ankle sprain he played through over the first four weeks.
He also showed up on this week’s injury report with a foot issue, leaving him questionable for Sunday. Still, head coach Klint Kubiak said Jeanty will "do his best to go" against the Patriots.
Even if Jeanty pushes through, the Raiders may decide to be careful with him. He’s lost some of the burst that made him dangerous early, and he’s averaged fewer than three yards per carry in two of the last three weeks.
If Las Vegas chooses to hold him out or if he can’t finish, the team could turn to a practice-squad back. Roman Hemby is the name to watch there.
The undrafted rookie signed with the Raiders after the draft and has been around since the spring, which could give him an edge over fourth-year pro Owen Wright, who was added last week. If Hemby gets the call, he could help spell Mike Washington Jr. on early downs or step in if Jeanty can’t go the distance.
In his final college season, Hemby led Indiana with 1,120 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
The other notable wrinkle is at receiver, where the Raiders are already thin and now will be without Jalen Nailor. He’s been ruled out while in concussion protocol, and that opens the door for more work for Cody White or Malik Benson.
White has made the most of limited chances, finding the end zone three times over the last three weeks, but he’s still been on the field for just 30 percent of the offensive snaps. Benson, meanwhile, has only one catch this season, a six-yard grab.
He flashed enough during offseason practices to get people talking, though that didn’t carry over to the preseason, where he caught three of 10 targets for 44 yards in three games. With Nailor out, Benson may get a chance to build on that summer buzz and carve out a bigger role in an underwhelming receiver group.
Then there’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, whose situation feels just as worth tracking. He’s healthy enough to play after missing last week with a groin injury, but that doesn’t mean he’s locked back into the lineup.
When asked whether Powers-Johnson would start against New England, Kubiak said, "We'll see." That doesn’t tell us much, but it does leave the door open for a change at right guard.
Backup Caleb Rogers struggled last week against the Chiefs, allowing five pressures according to Pro Football Focus, so the spot could be in play. Kubiak doesn’t give away much before kickoff, but his answer suggests the Raiders may still be sorting out how they want that side of the line to look.
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