Gerald McCoy hasn't played in an NFL game in 609 days.
And boy, did it feel good for the six-time Pro Bowler to step back on the field.
"Today was my first real reps. I took a few of my first practice reps this week and have been getting reps here and there but today it was like, 'Throw him in the fire,'" McCoy said postgame. "It felt great. My legs felt great, no pain in the knee. Knocking the rust off felt really good. I was just back in my element."
The veteran — who missed the entire 2020 season due to a torn quadriceps tendon the defensive tackle suffered while in camp with the Dallas Cowboys — didn't realize it had been so long since he'd taken a snap, but he didn't miss a beat in the Raiders' preseason finale.
His return to action came up against the San Francisco 49ers' first string offense, which helped in bringing him back to the speed of the game and plunge him into what felt like a regular-season game.
"A lot of it is just reading your keys and playing what you see," he said. "With an offense like that, they draw it up so well that it's a lot of window dressing. A lot of smoke and mirrors to get you to look all over the place for something simple. They're one of the best in the league in doing that."
Both McCoy's teammates and head coach celebrated his debut in the Silver and Black, with Maxx Crosby tweeting support and Coach Gruden mentioning the vet's performance during his postgame press conference.
"It was great to see him out there. He had a tough injury, did not play last year. We've been smart with him and I thought this was a really great step in the right direction for him," Gruden said. "Really positive results, I think."
McCoy noted that while some may see the preseason slate as unnecessary, especially with his 11 years of experience, he knew he had to be on the field and get some reps if he wanted to play in Week 1. Not to mention, he just really loves playing football and was eager to be back at it.
For the defensive tackle, it was also less about the outcome, but about what transpired in the game and how that can help the team's mentality going into games that count.
"When you've been doing this as long as I have, more than just the result, you look at the fight and how guys push through adversity," he said. "We didn't have a lot of guys today but guys were fighting regardless of how long they had to play, how many snaps they had to play. … When you can have a team full of guys doing that, it can take you a long way."
View photos from the Raiders' preseason Week 3 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dillon Stoner (16) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith (72) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (49) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dillon Stoner (16) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver John Brown (15) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dillon Stoner (16) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Alex Ellis (81) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense huddles during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Patrick Omameh (77) and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Karl Joseph (43) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Karl Joseph (43) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33), linebacker Max Richardson (54) and safety Karl Joseph (43) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Karl Joseph (43) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tanner Muse (55) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) and linebacker Max Richardson (54) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (61) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and linebacker Divine Deablo (49) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and linebacker Max Richardson (54) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Max Richardson (54) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (61) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and linebacker Max Richardson (54) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith (72) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Matt Bushman (84) and running back Trey Ragas (36) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dillon Stoner (16) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Patrick Omameh (77) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Max Richardson (54) and cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (49) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Gerri Green (52) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (49) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Roderic Teamer (33) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) and running back B.J. Emmons (35) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Devery Hamilton (73) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense huddles during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Jimmy Morrissey (65) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jeremiah Poutasi (79) and center Jimmy Morrissey (65) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (82) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (82) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) and tight end Nick Bowers (82) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Trey Ragas (36) and tight end Nick Bowers (82) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (82) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Willie Snead IV (17) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo (49) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
