ALAMEDA – The Raiders remain hopeful Gareon Conley can get right this season, that his rookie year isn’t a total wash. That’s why they’ve shut the first-round cornerback down indefinitely, with fingers crossed that his ailing shin will heal to the point that he can perform again in 2017.
The Ohio State product originally got hurt June 14, and missed the entire preseason. He hasn’t played since Sept. 24. He hasn’t practiced since Oct. 6.
Conley has been shut down over two weeks now, a stretch that included Wednesday’s practice preparing for a Week 8 showdown at Buffalo. He won’t play against the Bills. It’s uncertain when or if he’ll suit up again this season.
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Conley made a quality NFL debut in Week 2, and didn’t look like himself in Week 3. He tried to practice through it for a week before being put on the shelf.
“I think we are going to be patient and do the right thing at the right time with him,” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “We were trying to get him going and see if we could get a little bit, and it just didn’t appear to be making the kind of progress we need to make. When he can do the things he needs to do and he gets cleared to come back and be full speed for us then we’ll go.”
It remains uncertain if that will happen. The Raiders hope rest and treatment will get Conley right. There’s no assurance it will. Del Rio wasn’t ready to consider finality either way.
“I think it’s too early to speculate on that,” Del Rio said. “I think the idea now is to get him healthy and let him return to action when he’s ready to be himself. Until then, just be patient.”
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The Raiders don’t need his roster spot right away. They already have a corner in Demetrius McCray who is active, but doesn’t play defense. Injuries could hasten a move. Things also might speed up in Week 9, when Obi Melifonwu comes off injured reserve.
David Amerson missed Wednesday work with a foot injury. He’s also dealing with a shoulder issue.
In other injury news, starting right tackle Marshall Newhouse returned to limited practice after missing last week with a foot injury. So did inside linebackers Cory James (knee) and Marquel Lee (ankle), who aim to return after missing the Chiefs clash.