Week in, and week out, keeping Derek Carr safe is a priority for the Oakland Raiders, but that task will likely be a little more challenging come Sunday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Cincinnati Bengals – the Silver and Black's Week 15 opponent – rank just 25th in total sacks with 28, and while their defensive stats may not strike fear in much of anyone, the Raiders will likely be working with a patchwork interior along their offensive line.
While Rodney Hudson has been a consistent presence in the middle of the line all season, the players occupying the spots to his left and right have changed a little bit over the coming weeks, and with Gabe Jackson and Kelechi Osemele unable to practice – combined with versatile swing lineman Jon Feliciano now on the Reserve/Injured list – it has resulted in a little lineup uncertainty for Head Coach Jon Gruden.
"It's going to be determined here in the next few days," said Coach Gruden when asked about the starting interior line. "We'll use today to get Chaz Green and Denzelle [Good] and Cam Hunt some work and hope for the best."
Speaking of Cam Hunt, after spending the offseason and training camp with the Silver and Black, the team brought the former Oregon Duck back into the fold earlier this week, along with guard/tackle Denver Kirkland.
As we said earlier, both Osemele and Jackson didn't practice on Wednesday, and with just a few days left on the practice field before the team flies to Ohio, Coach Gruden still doesn't really have a sense or how close either one or both of them is physically to being able to go to work against the Bengals.
The Raiders return to the practice field to prepare for the Bengals following their win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.
Oakland Raiders players and coaches on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Bene Benwikere (37) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Rashaan Melvin (22) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tackle Jamar McGloster (64) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders guard/tackle Denzelle Good (69) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders guard Cameron Hunt (63) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Jason Cabinda (53) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (15) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (97) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Damontre' Moore (56) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (98) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Kony Ealy (96) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back DeAndré Washington (33) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson (82) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raider wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver/defensive back Johnny Holton (16) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (98), defensive tackle Justin Ellis (78), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90), and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (97) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) and kicker Daniel Carlson (8) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) on the field for practice at the Oakland Raiders Practice Facility, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in Alameda, California.
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"I know that both of them are as tough as they come and if there's a will, there's a way," Gruden explained. "They have the will, I know that. We'll just hope for the best. Like we've done at other positions on offense, we'll have to rally around the next guy up."
Whether those guys end up being Green, Good, Hunt, Kirkland or some combination of that group, the Raiders will no doubt have a challenge keeping the Bengals defensive line at bay.
"It will be very challenging, especially against a good defense," Derek Carr said. "Their front, obviously we know they got good players. It just is what it is this year. Guys are hurt, guys are leaving the building and we are getting new guys in. It's next man up, but just the mentality that coach Gruden and I have together is, however it unfolds we are going to give Cincinnati our best shot."
We'll certainly know more about the health of the offensive line as the week progresses, but whoever ends up getting the call, keep an eye on how the unit as a whole performs against the Bengals.
