Raiders HC Josh McDaniels optimistic CB Nate Hobbs will return Sunday vs Chargers

Sounds like CB Nate Hobbs could come off injured reserve to face the Chargers Sunday.

It’s been five weeks since Nate Hobbs was placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury. Last week was the first time he was eligible to return and was designated for return, but didn’t play when the Raiders faced the Seahawks in Seattle.

This week the Chargers come to town and from the sounds of it, Hobbs could get be activated and return to the field.

“Nate’s had a good week so far,” said head coach Josh McDaniels. “Hopefully we have a good day today but have a good idea that if that keeps trending in the right way that that’s what going to happen.”

Hobbs and Anthony Averett have been swapping places on injured reserve all season. When Hobbs was healthy early in the season, Averett was on IR. Then the same week Hobbs was place on IR, Averett came off IR. Now this week Averett was sent back to IR while Hobbs appears set to come off of it.

No question the Raiders are in much better hands with Hobbs than Averett. In either case, the team has had to dig deep at cornerback, with undrafted rookie Sam Webb along with recent free agent addition Tyler Hall both seeing significant time.

A Hobbs return would be a pretty big deal for the Raiders secondary.