The Las Vegas Raiders are approaching the end of training camp, which means the dreaded roster cuts are looming.
One week from Saturday, Head Coach Jon Gruden, General Manager Mike Mayock, and the rest of the coaching staff will be forced to make some difficult decisions regarding the 2020 roster. No matter how many times Gruden and Mayock have been through this, it never gets easier.
"This will be a big tape for us to get back to the office and study," Gruden said regarding today's practice at Allegiant Stadium. "A lot of situations covered today. We put some backup players with the starters. We put some starters in with the second group to see how they'd react. But to answer your question, this is a time where everything is winding down, so we're going to have to meet as a staff and make some tough decisions. It's been a very competitive camp."
Every offseason, there are players who emerge during training camp and despite the limitations of the pandemic, this year has been no exception. Former UNLV rebel — also an Oakland native from McClymonds High School — Javin White has made a name for himself the last couple of months, demonstrating a unique level of leadership for someone his age. His athletic gifts allow him to serve as a hybrid linebacker, perfect for today's prototypical linebacker.
View photos as the Las Vegas Raiders return to Allegiant Stadium for another practice and dress rehearsal during 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6), kicker Daniel Carlson (2), and long snapper Trent Sieg (47) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8), quarterback Derek Carr (4), and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), offensive lineman Jordan Devey (65), quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) and offensive lineman Eric Kush (69) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jordan Roos (60) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jordan Roos (60) and offensive lineman Andre James (68) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tanner Muse (55) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches huddle on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) are introduced onto the field before a practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) is introduced onto the field before a practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) is introduced onto the field before a practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) and tight end Jason Witten (82) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) and linebacker Tanner Muse (55) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and kicker Daniel Carlson (2) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50), kicker Daniel Carlson (2) and linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receivers and coaches on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24), cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) and guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42), safety Johnathan Abram (24) and tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) and defensive end Sharif Finch (57) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) and wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tanner Muse (55) and wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) and cornerback Amik Robertson (41) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches huddle on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden huddles with the team on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches huddle on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.
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Making the 53-man roster will be challenging for him and the fellow UDFAs, but it's certainly not impossible — just look at guys like Jalen Richard and Alec Ingold. Given the circumstances of COVID-19, the NFL has increased the practice squad roster from 10 players to 16, which Gruden plans on taking full advantage of.
"I think it will be important," Gruden said. "Obviously, as a contingency plan, if God forbid, we do get another case of that COVID in our building. But it helps practices. You have to service each other. You have to emulate the opponent, and to have a number of players that can help us do that will certainly help in our preparation and, like I said, it will also give us a contingency plan if we're stricken with a bad case of the virus."
Following today's practice, Coach Gruden was reluctant to divulge any information about the progression of individual players, considering opposing teams might try to poach them, especially with roster cuts around the corner. Without preseason games to showcase individual talent, coaches and GMs around the league are trying to find any information that's available to them.
The Silver and Black are just a couple of weeks away from the first regular-season game of 2020 and it'll be exciting to see the final product come September 13.
