One by one, the Raiders are getting players back from their reserve/COVID-19 list. Where there were five players on the list on Sunday, now there are three. Wednesday it was linebacker Cory Littleton returning and today it is defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
Gruden hinted on Wednesday that he expected Ferrell to be back today, but wasn’t sure about whether the second-year top pick would be ready to go on Sunday when the Raiders head to Atlanta to face the Falcons.
“I don’t know how he’s going to play, honestly. I haven’t seen Cle in a while,” Gruden said Wednesday. “We think he’s going to be back in the facility tomorrow and we’re going to do the right thing to ramp him up and make sure he’s OK.”
Ferrell has missed last Sunday’s game against the Chiefs after testing positive for COVID-19. Carl Nassib replaced him in the starting lineup.
Along with Ferrell going on the list, eight other players on the defense were quarantined throughout the week as close contacts. Seven of those players returned in time for the game last Sunday, with just CB Lamarcus Joyner remaining.
Joyner is still on the reserve/COVID-19 list along with offensive tackle Trent Brown and running back Theo Riddick.
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