After breaking training camp on Monday, the Oakland Raiders were back in Alameda, Calif., Tuesday to continue practicing at the team's facility. The Silver and Black will depart Wednesday for The Great White North, as they play host to the Green Bay Packers in a preseason battle in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
It's customary for NFL coaches to use the third preseason game as a dress rehearsal for the starting unit, but I'm not sure Head Coach Jon Gruden will trot Derek Carr and Co., on the field against the Packers. He met with reporters following practice Tuesday to provide an update on many of the player's injuries, but didn't divulge what the game plan was for Thursday's game.
"Everybody that's going to, I think, play," Gruden said when asked whether everyone would make the trip to Canada. "We're still looking at our list of injuries and our rotations and finalizing who's going and who's not going, because I don't have any final answer right now."
With the regular season right around the corner, the coaching staff feels as though they've seen more than enough from several players on the roster, and they're trying to preserve their health for the games that matter. Towards the end of training camp, wide receiver Tyrell Williams was seen on the sidelines standing with General Manager Mike Mayock in sweats and a hoodie, not participating in the team practice. Coach Gruden shared Tuesday that the deep-threat receiver is merely dealing with a cold and there's no reason to sound the alarm.
"We have a bug going around here," Gruden explained. "We got a lot of guys that aren't feeling great. I don't know that he'll play or not play right now for the Canada trip."
While Williams is managing a cold, fellow wide receiver J.J. Nelson is dealing with an injury that might keep him away from the field a tad longer than his counterpart, but Gruden is confident it's not a serious injury.
"Yup, he's got a slight ankle," Coach Gruden shared. "Did not practice today. Don't think it's serious, but don't know that he'll play. It's just hard to give you any real, concrete information because we do have a slew of players that are lingering after the three weeks of training camp."
Nelson has made a few headlines over the past month, between his standout performances in training camp and his highlight-reel plays in the preseason, he's making a legitimate bid for a roster spot. Against the Rams, Nelson hauled in two receptions for 43 yards, and one of them was a contested jump ball down the sideline. As Gruden stated, it's not clear when he'll return to action, but I doubt he'll play against the Packers.
He also provided a quick update on the status of two rookies, who the Raiders are expecting big things from this season.
"Yeah, he's got an irritated wrist," Gruden said of safety Johnathan Abram. "Maxx Crosby is another guy that has a wrist problem, so we're banged up a little bit. We've had a physical training camp and hopefully some of these guys are able to make the trip."
Expect to see a lot of youth Thursday, as this becomes a make or break game for several players fighting for spots on the roster. Coach Gruden told the media that the upcoming game will serve as the last real shot these players have to proving their worth on the team.
Kickoff against the Packers starts at 5 p.m. PT.
Take a look at the photos from today's practice, as the Raiders hit the field in Alameda, Calif.
Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks (63) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown's (84) helmet on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders footballs on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard Jonathan Cooper (70) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running backs coach Kirby Wilson on the field for a preseason practice.
Hard Knocks film crew, Head Coach Jon Gruden, and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back James Butler (36) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and cornerback Daryl Worley (20) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Gabe Wright (57) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Paul Butler (81) and tight ends coach Frank Smith on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders offensive quality control coach Nick Holz, running backs coach Kirby Wilson, and running back DeAndré Washington (33) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive tackle Anthony Rush (60) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Doug Martin (22) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock and cornerback Joshua Holsey (44) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Te'von Coney (56), linebacker Brandon Marshall (54), and linebacker Koa Farmer (46) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Devey (65) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and offensive coordinator Greg Olson on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive end Quinton Bell (95) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight ends coach Frank Smith, quarterback Derek Carr (4), and tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) and tackle Trent Brown (77) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard/tackle Denver Kirkland (79) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) and running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Brandon Barnes (86) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (9) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and the defense on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Luke Willson (82) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) on the field for a preseason practice.
The offensive and defensive lines on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) on the field for a preseason practice.
The Raiders and strength and conditioning coach A.J. Neibel on the field for a preseason practice.
The Raiders on the field for a preseason practice.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden huddles up the team on the field for a preseason practice.
