Jon Gruden would like everyone to pump the breaks on Josh Jacobs being a go for Sunday against the Jaguars. The rookie running back got some positive MRI results on his injured shoulder, which led to reports that he is expected to play this week after missing last Sunday. Gruden says not so fast.
“I’m glad the reports say that,” said Gruden. “I wasn’t totally aware of all the fact, but I do know that [head trainer H] Rod Martin has cleared him to practice and we’ll see what happens in the next couple days. Doesn’t mean he’s going to play, but I’m glad the reports are positive.”
“I just listen to the medical staff and Josh. Today he’s made some improvement, but he still has to go out there and move explosively tomorrow and Friday and do the things a running back has to do to play in this league and protect himself in this league. We’ll see what happens in the next 48 hours.”
Jacobs is listed as limited on today’s estimated injury report. The team signed Rod Smith as an insurance policy in case Jacobs can’t go.
“He’s a guy that can run the ball, he’s a big back,” Gruden said of Smith.”With Jacobs’s status uncertain we need to have somebody that in the goal line, short yardage situations can give us a candidate to make the tough yard or two.”
Not practicing again was Trent Brown who also missed last Sunday with a pectoral muscle injury. His status is even less certain.
“I don’t know,” Gruden said of Brown’s status. “It’s been tough on Trent, tough on our offense, but Brandon Parker right now will be prepared to play, David Sharpe will continue to get reps. I think Trent is getting a little bit better, but he’s not ready to roll yet.”
#Raiders Wednesday injury report (estimated due to walk-thru).
DNP:Trent Brown (pectoral), Marquel Lee (toe), Daryl Worley (neck), Hunter Renfrow (rib), Kyle Wilber (ankle). pic.twitter.com/FWULgDSGMB
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) December 11, 2019
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