Loser: RT Sam Young
The Raiders were hoping they would have their highly paid left tackle back this week with Trent Brown taken off the Covid list. Everything changed quickly when Brown got sick before kickoff, and the Raiders were hoping Sam Young would step in. Young struggled early and often and then left the game again with injury forcing in Brandon Parker.
Young was not ready for his matchup with Browns’ defensive end Oliver Vernon. Vernon muscled the swing tackle with his bull rush every time Young left his chest open. Both rushes led to sacks by Vernon on Carr, causing good developing drives to stall before he was injured. After his injury, he was outplayed by Brandon Parker, and that should tell you all you need to know.
Young is still a decent backup, but he is definitely proof the Raiders will be patient when it comes to Trent Brown. The running game is a different animal when the big right tackle is on the field with his athleticism, and Brown holds up better in pass protection. With Bosa coming up next on the schedule, the Raiders need Young to step up to the Challenge.
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