RB Jalen Richard

Raiders running back Jalen Richard has excelled as Gruden’s third-down back this year, and the coach asked more of him last week and could continue to do so.

Richard replaced Davis as kick returner against the Chiefs, and Davis was waived after the game.

When asked Monday if he would stick with Richard in the return game, Gruden said, “We want to look at Jalen. Looking for a spark, you know? We’re looking for somebody to create some field position, and Jalen’s had a history of doing it, making some big plays.”

Richard served in that role during his first two seasons in Oakland, though in 2017, he developed a habit of fumbling the ball, and was removed from those duties. Watch to see if Gruden sticks with him and if Richard can deliver.

If Gruden ends up looking elsewhere, possibly at WR Rico Gafford, fresh off promotion from the practice squad, or rookie cornerback Keisean Nixon, pay attention to special teams this week. Most importantly, fumbles or miscues will be frowned upon, and none of these players, most notably Richard, can afford to land Gruden’s dog house.

Every week is a new opportunity in the NFL, and if Oakland is to put its terrible losses of the past two weeks behind them, they’ll have to recapture the fight they displayed earlier in the year.

If not, this feel-good season, marked by winning while rebuilding with a young core, not to mention a revolving roster, could dissolve into a losing campaign. Luckily for the team, the Coliseum crowd will do all it can to will the Raiders to yet another big win and possible playoff run.

[vertical-gallery id=53933]

[lawrence-newsletter]