The Raiders have already had to practice for a week without their entire offensive line, and the result was a one-sided loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now with a rematch coming up Sunday night with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, they'll be practicing without ten defensive players.
Safety Johnathan Abram, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, defensive end David Irving, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, defensive end Arden Key and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday. Those seven players join defensive end Clelin Ferrell,slot corner Lamarcus Joyner, linebacker Cory Littleton and tackle Trent Brown — bringing the total number of Raiders players on the COVID-19 list to 11.
Ferrell, Littleton and Brown aren't expected to face the Chiefs Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium. Ferrell and Littleton have reportedly tested positive and Brown is recovering from complications from having the coronavirus earlier this season. The rest could be available provided they pass their daily COVID-19 tests. Joyner could be cleared Saturday, while Abram, Collins, Hankins, Irving, Johnson, Key and Vickers in theory could be cleared Sunday by continuing to test negative.
Players under quarantine will participate in "virtual" practices and meetings on computer but will not be with the team.
The news broke while coach Jon Gruden was on his teleconference, so media members did not ask him about it.However, Kansas City media had gotten word of the report before their conference call with Gruden.
Asked about losing his defense for the week, Gruden said, "I don't know about the whole defense. I'm not going to get into what list anybody is on. We practiced today and we'll be ready for the game on Sunday."
While Gruden responded to media questions about injured players, he didn't answer questions regarding players on the COVID-19 list.
Ferrell, who reportedly has tested positive along with Littleton, reached out to Raiders fans Tuesday on his Instagram page:
"I'M DOING OK. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO REACHED OUT!!! (expletive) HURTS BUT WE GOT BIGGER GOALS THAN ONE GAME!! LOVE YOU RAIDER NATION!!"
The news comes as the NFL announce it would enforce intensive protocols for the remainder of the season for all 32 teams. Those protocols include wearing masks at all times, even on the practice field, and virtual meetings done by teleconference.
Considering the Raiders are playing the most explosive offensive team in the NFL, missing 10 defensive players is problematic in terms of preparation and practice.
Coming out of the bye week, right tackle Brown tested positive and the rest of the starting offensive line was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list under quarantine. All except Brown were cleared to play but without having practiced. The Raiders lost 45-20 and have since gone on a three-game winning streak.
