Jackson Powers-Johnson left practice with an apparent injury. That could pave the way for an elevated role for Caleb Rogers.
The Raiders have a battle at right guard. Jackson Powers-Johnson leads on the Raiders’ depth chart, but head coach Klint Kubiak has refused to name him the starter.
Instead, Caleb Rogers is pushing Powers-Johnson for that starting spot. On Monday, Powers-Johnson left practice with an apparent injury. He didn’t return.
First-Team Reps
Powers-Johnson has been the primary right guard with the Raiders’ starting unit. He played on the first drive of the Raiders’ first preseason game. He gets the first chance in practice as well.
But Rogers has been mixing in. In the preseason game, both guards played with the second team. During practices, Rogers gets snaps over Powers-Johnson as practice goes on.
After Powers-Johnson left with an injury, Rogers got all of the first-team work.
Injury History
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
This is not the first time Powers-Johnson has been hurt. An ankle injury limited him to just eight games last season.
That absence prevented the Raiders from getting a full look at how much he developed in his second season in the NFL. Despite entering his third season, Powers-Johnson is still a bit of an unknown.
Losing any time during training camp could be enough of a setback to push him back down the depth chart. But for that to happen, Rogers will have to earn the position.
Texans Up Next
The Raiders are entering the three most important days of the preseason, as they face off with the Texans in joint practice on Tuesday and Wednesday before their preseason game on Thursday. It will be three straight days of testing against an NFL opponent.
That makes for a great time to prove you are capable of starting in the NFL. Rogers could take this job and run with it if Powers-Johnson is actually going to miss time.
It also creates an interesting decision for the Raiders coaching staff. What will they do with the second-team offensive line if Powers-Johnson is out?
Rookie Trey Zuhn has moved around to different spots on the offensive line, getting time at guard, center and most recently right tackle. Will the Raiders move Zuhn back inside?
It is also important to note the second-team offense will be protecting the most important asset in the organization, Fernando Mendoza. While he likely won’t take any hits in joint practices, he will be fair game in the preseason game.
