Tag: Kolton Miller

What Condition the Position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at OT ahead of free agency

What Condition Raiders Position is in: Offensive tackle

With free agency under a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ offensive tackle position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Starters: Kolton Miller, Thayer Munford
Depth: Dalton Wagner, DJ Fluker, Jalen McKenzie
Free Agents: Jermaine Eluemunor, Brandon Parker

Miller was his usual mainstay at left tackle, outside of missing five starts due to injury. Right tackle was manned by Eluemunor for the second consecutive season. Munford filled in at both tackle spots as needed.

Condition: Serious

No worries at left tackle. But right tackle is a concern. They can limit that concern by bringing back Eluemunor, but regardless seeking an upgrade at that spot would be smart. Eluemunor can play tackle or guard and is a good piece to have around. Munford has also shown potential, but it would not be smart to move forward with him as the only option at such a crucial spot.

Raiders, Chiefs final injury report: TE Michael Mayer OUT

Raiders TE Michael Mayer OUT, Josh Jacobs Questionable vs Chiefs

While the Raiders may get a few offensive starters back this week against the Chiefs, they will lose another. Tight end Michael Mayer is officially OUT with a toe injury.

They will for sure see the return of center Andre James who was removed from the injury report after missing the previous two weeks with an ankle injury.

Still Questionable are left tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) and RB Josh Jacobs.

Jaacobs seemed on the path to returning this week and head coach Antonio Pierce seemed optimistic he would play earlier this week, but after a day back at practice, he was sidelined again, so once again, his status is uncertain.

Jack Jones landed on the injury report Saturday with a knee injury after not being on the injury report before that. He too is Questionable for the game.

The Chiefs will for sure be without three players. RB Jerrick McKinnon, WR Kadarius Toney, and T Donovan Smith are all OUT. WR Mecole Hardman began his 21-day window to return from injured reserve, but will not be activated this week.

Raiders, Chiefs Thursday injury report: LT Kolton Miller returns to practice

Raiders LT Kolton Miller returns to practice

Wednesday Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce expressed optimism the Raiders would get back three offensive starters this week — RB Josh Jacobs, LT Kolton Miller, and C Andre James.

Two out of three aint bad.

Thursday saw Miller and James return to the practice field. Jacobs was still not practicing, though there are still two more practices for him to return.

The Chiefs also got their left tackle back. Donovan Smith practiced Thursday.

Missing for the Chiefs were LB Nick Bolton, LB Cam Jones, RB Jerrick McKinnon, WR Kadarious Toney.

Missing for the Raiders Thursday along with Jacobs were DE Maxx Crosby (knee), TE Michael Mayer (toe), G Dylan Parham (illness), and RS DJ Turner (shoulder).

We all know Crosby is going to play. He wouldn’t miss any games, let alone against his favorite QB Patrick Mahomes. We’ll wait and see with everyone else.

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce expresses confidence Josh Jacobs will play vs Chiefs

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce expresses confidence Josh Jacobs will play vs Chiefs

Playing hurt is something Josh Jacobs has done a lot of in his career. In fact, he’s become known for playing some of his best football when he’s banged up late in the season. Which should tell you something about how injured he was against the Vikings two weeks ago.

He suffered a knee injury early in the game, fought through it for a while before eventually leaving the game and not returning. The Raiders lost the game 3-0.

When the Charger came to town four days later, Jacobs was not ready to go and was rendered inactive for the game.

Now with the team having a 11 days between that Thursday night game and their Christmas Day game at Arrowhead, head coach Antonio Pierce doesn’t see Jacobs missing this one.

“I think he was close the last week,” Pierce said of Jacobs. “That was a decision we all made in the best interest of him. For himself. If I had to be a betting man, I would think he would play this game.”

Along with Jacobs, there were two Raiders starting offensive linemen who also didn’t play last week — left tackle Kolton Miller and center Andre James.

“Same deal,” Pierce said of Miller and James. “If I was a betting man, those guys are going through the process. This is a game you want to play in now. You don’t want to be sitting at home watching it on television, you want to be there.”

Keep in mind, the Raiders have yet to practice this week, so this could just be unbridled optimism by Pierce. A combination of the long week off and this being the big annual Arrowhead matchup with a suddenly very vulnerable looking Chiefs team.

Raiders vs Chargers final injury report: LT Kolton Miller, C Andre James OUT

LT Kolton Miller, C Andre James OUT for Raiders. WR Keenan Allen OUT for Chargers

It’s a short week for the Raiders and Chargers who meet Thursday night. That means it isn’t much time for injuries to heal. As such, both teams will be without a few starters and in danger of being without a few more.

The Raiders today officially ruled out left tackle Kolton Miller and center Andre James. In addition, Josh Jacobs was listed as questionable after missing the entire week with a quad injury.

Showing up on the injury report was Davante Adams with an illness.

Thayer Munford will start at left tackle for the Raiders, Dylan Parham will start at center and Jordan Meredith will start at left guard (replacing Parham).

The Chargers will be without WR Keenan Allen. They were already without Justin Herbert who was placed on injured reserve this week. So, replacement Easton Stick will now not have their best receiver on the field as he makes his first career start.

3 Raiders in top ten at their positions in NFL Pro Bowl fan voting

3 Raiders in top ten at their positions in Pro Bowl fan voting

It’s been two weeks since fan voting opened for the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl. They NFL put out the results of the voting today and a few Raiders players show up in the top ten at their respective positions.

Maxx Crosby — No. 3 DE
Josh Jacobs — No. 4 RB
AJ Cole — No. 8 P

Based on the numbers, that is probably too low for Crosby and Cole and too high for Jacobs.

Listed ahead of Crosby are Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa. The thing is Crosby has more sacks (13.5), tackles for loss (18), stops (45), and combined tackles (76) than either of them. Crosby’s sack total is third in the league and his tackles for loss, stops, and combined tackles all lead the league among edge rushers.

The only stat where Bosa and Garrett have him beat are QB hits.

Cole’s 45.9 net average leads the NFL, his 51.3 punt average is second, last week he tied the NFL’s longest punt (83) this season, he has the seventh most punts stopped inside the 20 (24), and has the fourth fewest punt returns (22) among those with over 50 punts. None of these numbers suggest 8th in voting is anywhere near appropriate.

Despite leading the league in carries (233), Josh Jacobs is still sixth in yards (805), and 11th in touchdowns (6). So, fourth in voting would seem to be judging him by his numbers last season.

Not among the top ten at their position, though probably worthy would be Davante Adams and Kolton Miller. There is a case that could be made for Robert Spillane as well.

Raiders, Vikings final injury report: LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) OUT

Raiders LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) OUT is Vikings

Sunday when the Raiders host the Vikings, they will do so without their starting left tackle. This will be the third time in four games that Kolton Miller will be sidelined with a shoulder injury as he has been officially ruled OUT.

Miller had missed the team’s Week 10 and 11 games against the Jets and Dolphins. In both instances, it was right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor who moved over to left tackle to start at left tackle. While Thayer Munford starter at right tackle.

The Raiders could see Brandon Facyson for the first time this season. He is coming off injured reserve with a shin injury and is Questionable for the game. Should be active for the game, and with the uncertainty at outside cornerback, he could see good playing time, and possibly get the start.

Also Questionable for the Raiders is EDGE Maxx Crosby (knee). But he was doubtful for their last game and still played, so it seems likely he would play in this one as well.

Raiders, Vikings Thursday injury report: LT Kolton Miller, DE Maxx Crosby still missing practice

LT Kolton Miller, DE Maxx Crosby still missing practice

For the second straight day, the Raiders were without two of their best players on each side of the ball as they prepare for the Vikings this Sunday.

Left tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) and Edge rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) were both sidelined for Thursday’s practice.

The Raiders are coming off their bye week when they had hoped to get more healthy, so it’s a bit surprising to see both of these guys still missing practice.

Crosby played in their last game against the Chiefs despite missing every practice the week leading up to it and being listed as Doubtful. So, you’d have to think he will do everything he can to play and he isn’t to be counted out until if/when he’s officially out.

Miller returned for the game after missing two games with a shoulder injury. But late in the game, he was pulled. After the game, I asked head coach Antonio Pierce if Miller had aggravated his injury, but Pierce wouldn’t say, mentioning only that it was late in the game that had become out of reach.

Voting opens for 2024 Pro Bowl: 4 Raiders who deserve your vote

Voting opens for 2024 Pro Bowl: 4 Raiders who deserve your vote

We are entering the final portion of the NFL season. And the NFL has opened up voting for the 2024 Pro Bowl.

You can cast your vote HERE.

Through the first 12 games, which Raiders players deserve your vote? Let’s see.

Raiders, Dolphins final injury report: LT Kolton Miller, LG Dylan Parham both Questionable

Raiders LT Kolton Miller, LG Dylan Parham both Questionable vs Dolphins

Whether the Raiders will have their starting left side of the offensive line has been in question all week. Now it’s official — LT Kolton Miller and LG Dylan Parham are both Questionable for Sunday’s game in Miami.

Coming off the injury report entirely was Amik Robertson who suffered a concussion in last week’s game against the Jets.

The Dolphins will be without WR Chase Claypool, and offensive linemen Rob Hunt and Rob Jones.