ALAMEDA, Calif. _ NaVorro Bowman will "probably" play Thursday night against the Chiefs, Raiders' coach Jack Del Rio said with a smirk on Wednesday, not wanting to officially declare the inevitable that Bowman plays.
Bowman signed with Oakland on Monday after the 49ers released him last Friday. Del Rio said previously that it wasn't out of the question for the linebacker to suit up on such a short turnaround, and Bowman said Monday he'd push to play if he felt prepared.
"Hey, I'm gonna show you something," he said when asked if it was feasible to be prepared after three days.
The 29-year-old will likely start at middle linebacker. His reported per-game salary for the remainder of the season is $300,000. Last season, the Raiders played middle linebacker Perry Riley on a quick turnaround after acquiring him.
Oakland's second level of defense should have its hands full Thursday night with the likes of Chiefs dual-threat running back Kareem Hunt and tight end Travis Kelce.
In his short time with Oakland thus far, Bowman has impressed his new head coach.
"He's a veteran. He understands ball. We've not tried to install the entire playbook but specific gameplan things," Del Rio said. "Even though it's a short week, we feel good he'll play."
The Raiders will have a new starting right tackle on Thursday with Newhouse out due to a foot injury. Alexander, a 2016 seventh-round pick from LSU, has played in five games this season but hasn't started. He started five of the nine games he played as a rookie last year.
"I'm always prepared," Alexander said. "Marshall's a great player and I'm glad to step in for him. I've been prepared all year. I started a good amount of games last year ... I played the Chiefs on Thursday Night Football before, so it's actually the same type of deal, so I'm ready to go."
Alexander has been used this season as a fifth offensive linemen in certain packages. He said that "keeps him in the game every week" and that those reps he received last Sunday ease the transition into his first start of the year against Kansas City.
When Alexander subbed in for Newhouse at Tennessee in Week 1, though, he played a part in allowing sacks on consecutive plays. The Raiders could do without those mishaps against arguably the NFL's best team.
