Robert Zatulskis asks:
"What is our biggest need at the moment? Wide receiver or on defense?
There's still quality players on both sides of the ball, but injuries have forced young players to step in and make an impact.
On the defensive side of the ball, injuries to the defensive line and secondary have opened opportunities for rookies Jonah Laulu and Decamerion Richardson, who've both now started multiple games this season.
Laulu, a defensive tackle from Oklahoma, has 19 total tackles and two pass deflections this season, while Richardson, the Raiders' fourth-round pick, has recorded two pass deflections and has been routinely covering the opposing team's top receiver over the past few weeks.
"[T]o his credit, he's fighting. We're not going to pull him," Antonio Pierce said Richardson's rookie learning curve. "We're going to let him go through the growing pains with him. It's going to make him a better player in the future. And we talked about that probably at length in this room of the younger guys playing late in the season, and when that opportunity comes, making the most out of it."
At the wide receiver position, there will be more opportunities for reps with DJ Turner placed on injured reserve. Terrace Marshall Jr. is a name to know, seeing 15 snaps and his first catch of the season last week against the Buccaneers. The former second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers has started 16 games in his career.
Tre Tucker is also bound to see more targets, having already proven himself as a deep threat in the Raiders offense. He caught a career-long 58-yard reception against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13 for his fourth career touchdown grab.
So, I guess to answer your question Robert, there's an equal need at both in my opinion. But all the Raiders can do at this point is rely on their depth, which has panned out in certain moments this year.
Fred Herrera from California asks:
"Who will be our starting quarterback going into Monday Night Football?"
This is a question that doesn't yet have an answer, Fred.
There's some uncertainty on who will be the starting quarterback after Aidan O'Connell went down with a knee injury last week. Desmond Ridder played the remainder of the game and is now in a position to play against his former team if O'Connell can't suit up. While O'Connell didn't practice Thursday, per the injury report, Pierce said "we'll see how the week goes."
Regardless, both quarterbacks are preparing this week as if they'll start.
"I'm hoping to get there," O'Connell said Wednesday. "Obviously, we've got a longer week this week, which helps, and so just really taking it day by day. Obviously not something I've been through with this particular injury. So, trying to get there."
"You've got to prepare as if you're the starter," Ridder said of his backup role. "You have to prepare as if, like I said, it could be any play. It could be the first play, it could be the 70th play. So for me, my mindset doesn't change. I come in same way Monday through Sunday and work the same way that I do."
To add more security to the quarterback room, Carter Bradley was signed to the active roster from the practice squad Tuesday. Former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Jake Luton was signed to the practice squad on the same day.
Take a look at behind the scenes photos from the Raiders' design process and reveal of custom cleats for the NFL's 2024 My Cause My Cleats initiative.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs tackle Thayer Munford Jr.'s (77) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs tackle Thayer Munford Jr.'s (77) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) meets with representatives from the Nevada Youth Network to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs defensive end Charles Snowden's (49) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) meets with representatives from the NAACP Las Vegas branch to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) meets with representatives from the Avery Burton Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) meets with representatives from the Tyler Robinson Foundation to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
A Shoe Palace designer designs linebacker Amari Gainer's (53) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) meets with representatives from the American Cancer Society supporting Breast Cancer Awareness to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) meets with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) meets with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) meets with representatives from the Boys and Girls Club to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) meets with representatives from the Raiders Silver & Black Flag Football league to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Shoe Palace Corporate Offices.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) meets with representatives from U.S. VETS to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A Shoe Palace designer designs defensive lineman Adam Butler's (69) cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) meets with representatives from U.S. VETS to design cleats for My Cause My Cleats at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kana'i Mauga (43) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) unboxes his custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan unboxes her custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan unboxes her custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly unboxes his custom shoes for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
