Raiders won't shut down banged-up rookie Jacobs, LT Brown

2019-12-17 13:48:58

The Raiders might have a slim chance of making the postseason, but that doesn't mean they'll sit their stars out.

ALAMEDA – Running back Josh Jacobs played through significant shoulder pain on Sunday. Right tackle Trent Brown wasn’t able to suit up for a second straight week with a pectoral injury.

The Raiders are on a four-game losing streak with a miraculous chain of events required to make the playoffs.

There’s little left to play for, but head coach Jon Gruden was not prepared to rule either star out for the remainder of this season. There’s no plan right now to place those guys on injured reserve.

If they can go, they’ll go.

“When these guys can play, we’re going to play them,” Gruden said in his Monday press conference. “We’re trying to win and we need them to win, but obviously we are going to do right by the player and do what the training staff says.”

Gruden considered it unlikely that Brown plays Sunday at the L.A. Chargers, and will be questionable. The same goes for Jacobs.

Jacobs missed the previous game against Tennessee but practiced each day last week and was cleared to play in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday in the final game at Oakland Coliseum.

I only played for the city sorry we fell short
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) December 16, 2019

Jacobs has been playing with a fractured shoulder suffered in Week 7 and has earned significant respect in the process.

“[Josh] had a hard time getting his shoulder pads off yesterday,” Gruden said. “All I can say is that I’ve coached a long time and I’ve had some really tough backs, really tough guys, and he is up there at the top of the food chain. This guy is one tough customer, he gave us everything he had yesterday, but his status for the coming weeks will be in question.”

Brown hasn’t played the past two weeks with a pectoral injury the team doesn’t want to get worse. A full tear of the muscle would involve surgery and extended rehab.

Brandon Parker has been starting in Brown’s stead. David Sharpe occupied that role earlier in the year, when Brown was dealing with knee and ankle issues, but a calf injury slowed him down and he lost positioning as the primary swing tackle.

The NFL can take the Raiders from Oakland, but it can't take the Coliseum from the franchise's loyal fans.

One Raiders fan, in particular, made sure of that following Oakland's loss to Jacksonville on Sunday:

Raiders fan taking a piece of the Coliseum home with him pic.twitter.com/9Hkeb9rvIh
— Raiders on NBCS (@NBCSRaiders) December 16, 2019

In the final game at the Coliseum, particularly in the second half, the Raiders didn't give their fans much reason to get out of their seats. Apparently, some grew close to theirs as a result.

In all seriousness, though, good on that guy for snagging one last memory of the stadium that has been filled with fervent fan enthusiasm among countless losing seasons. It's not like the Raiders will need it at their next home game.

The A's ... well, that's a different matter.

The most puzzling saga of the 2019 NFL season continues.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown, a man who briefly was employed by both the Raiders and New England Patriots this season, remains a free agent.

Despite facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women, a public spat with the league, and a seemingly never-ending social media tirade, there reportedly are at least 20 NFL teams interested in signing AB, Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman reports citing league sources.

There is no doubting the talent of Brown on the field.

AB is a seven-time Pro Bowler and has been an All-Pro four times in his nine NFL seasons.

Since entering the NFL in 2010, only Larry Fitzgerald has more receptions (844) than Brown's 841.

But there also is a mountain of evidence that indicates Brown is a troubled athlete who seems to dig himself an even deeper hole every time he logs into his Twitter account.

He gave the Raiders plenty of reason to cut him back on Sept. 7, even outright asking for his release.

After he subsequently was claimed off waivers by the Patriots, allegations of sexual assault from multiple women pushed New England to also part ways with Brown after just 13 days and one game in a Patriots uniform.

Freeman noted that "almost every potential playoff squad," with the Patriots being the lone exception, are inquiring on Brown. But does that include the 49ers, an obvious Super Bowl contender?

The 49ers repeatedly have said they wouldn’t pursue Brown, even as the receiving corps continue to underperform in San Francisco.

If any NFL team has a question as to what baggage comes with bringing in Antonio Brown, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, and Patriots likely would be happy to explain it.

Raiders won't shut down banged-up rookie Jacobs, LT Brown

Related Content from TMZ Sports