The Las Vegas Raiders are set to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday to kick off their 2024 season. There is a lot of optimism to build off of from the end of last year when they nearly had a postseason appearance. However, Week 1 won't be easy against a division opponent.
If they can win this one against Harbaugh and company, then the Raiders will be in good shape to start the season strong and try and take over the lead in the AFC West away from the Kansas City Chiefs, which is no small task.
They will need all hands on deck. This is a Chargers team that can beat anyone in the league, but this is also a team that can likely lose to anyone, too. They are somewhat of a wildcard in 2024, so the Raiders must get all the help they can.
However, it's trending towards the possibility of the team being without one of their high-draft picks to start the season, based on the way the injury and practice report returned on Thursday.
Rookie offensive guard Jackson Powers Johnson (illness) didn't practice Thursday. Tight end Brock Bowers (foot), linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (knee), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring), and defensive end Malcolm Koonce (knee) were all limited.
Sure, it's just an illness for JPJ, and that's all fine and well, but think about how much practice and training camp, among everything else, that he missed this offseason with his injury. He's off of the PUP list, or physically unable to perform list, but this is another missed practice, and he's already so behind.
The Raiders may just sit him because of him being sick, and not risk any other injury since he's likely, not ready yet anyway.
But, then again, we have seen crazier things, like Maxx Crosby last year not practicing for like two weeks with a knee issue that saw him in the emergency room at a local hospital. Yet, he would then go on to play.
So, Froday's report and practice will be crucial.
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