Buenas noticias llegan para los Raiders antes de su regreso al emparrillado este domingo en Las Vegas. Después de su semana de descanso, el equipo está en su mejor estado físico desde la semana 1, cuando vencieron a los Patriotas como visitantes. Todos los jugadores del roster activo de 53 hombres estarán disponibles para jugar, algo que no había ocurrido desde el inicio de la temporada.
"Estamos realmente en una gran forma", destacó el entrenador en jefe Pete Carroll. "Se siente como si estuviéramos de regreso al punto donde comenzamos, excepto por Kolton (Miller). Afortunadamente, Stone (Forsythe) ha hecho un gran trabajo como tackle izquierdo, y no ha parecido un cambio grande. Lo es, pero él ha respondido muy bien. Así que este es el punto más fuerte en el que nos hemos sentido en mucho tiempo, y espero que eso se refleje en nuestro desempeño".
Entre los regresos más importantes se encuentran Brock Bowers, quien se perdió tres juegos por una lesión en la rodilla; Adam Butler y Jakobi Meyers, quienes no jugaron ante Kansas City; además de Maxx Crosby, que tuvo que salir de ese mismo partido en el segundo cuarto. Todos ellos participaron sin limitaciones en la práctica del viernes y estarán listos para enfrentar a Jacksonville.
Pero las buenas noticias no se limitan a los jugadores que regresan de lesiones. Los Raiders también sumaron a un refuerzo con experiencia: el receptor veterano Tyler Lockett, agente libre con una trayectoria destacada en la NFL. Lockett tiene una conexión especial tanto con Pete Carroll, quien lo seleccionó en la tercera ronda del Draft de 2015 con Seattle, como con Geno Smith. Ambos compartieron vestidor seis años y vivieron tres temporadas con ambos titulares al mismo tiempo, incluyendo una de las cuatro campañas de Lockett con más de mil yardas en su carrera dentro de la NFL.
"Es una gran sensación tener a un amigo tan cercano junto a mí, especialmente cuando las cosas no han empezado como queríamos", aseguró Geno Smith sobre el reencontrarse con su antiguo compañero. "Tyler (Lockett) es alguien que me entiende y sabe cómo motivarme. Es un gran tipo en el vestidor, un líder nato. Va a aportar muchísima información a los receptores, especialmente a los jóvenes que siguen desarrollándose. Y todavía tiene chispa, puede seguir jugando a gran nivel. Aporta mucho más que solo amistad; tenerlo de nuevo en el vestidor es algo muy especial".
Del otro lado, los Jaguares de Jacksonville llegan con un panorama distinto. Su gran novato, Travis Hunter, selección número dos del Draft 2025, no estará disponible tras sufrir una lesión en la rodilla durante la práctica del jueves que lo envió a la lista de reserva lesionados (IR).
"Pierden al menos uno y medio jugadores en cuanto a tiempo de juego y participación, porque últimamente lo estaban utilizando más en ofensiva", dijo Carroll sobre la ausencia del talentoso jugador. "Todo el ruido, la expectativa, el Heisman ... todo estaba justificado. Es un gran jugador de fútbol americano. Es una baja importante para ellos, pero no cambia nada en nuestra preparación. Nosotros jugamos contra quien esté al frente".
La primera mitad de la temporada no fue la deseada para los Raiders, ahora han recuperado jugadores tras su semana de descanso de cara a un tramo exigente del calendario: tendrán dos partidos en un lapso de sólo cinco días. Después de recibir a los Jaguares en el Estadio Allegiant, viajarán a Denver para medirse ante los Broncos el jueves en duelo divisional.
Con el equipo sano, una nueva arma en ofensiva y una afición ansiosa por verlos de regreso, los Raiders buscarán defender su casa y mantener el impulso rumbo a la segunda mitad de la temporada.
As the Silver and Black prepare for the Week 9 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, take a look back at their past matchups through the years.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rob Fredrickson (53) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lincoln Kennedy (72) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Daryl Hobbs (80) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 21, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Russell Maryland (67) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 21, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Doug Gabriel (85) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders full back Zack Crockett (32) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders offense lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson (98) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Terdell Sands (90) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes (33) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller (80) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle (66) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle (66) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders center/guard Stefen Wisniewski (61) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (2) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) rushes for a 9-yard touchdown during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) rushes for an 8-yard touchdown during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) lines up before the snap during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Zach VanValkenburg (54) makes a tackle during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) knocks downs the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a 38-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) blocks during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) blocks during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) pressures the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
