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  6. article_body => "<p>ALAMEDA \u2013 Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs had 23 carries in his NFL debut. That\u2019s more than he took in a single game during three full seasons at the University of Alabama.<\/p>\n<p>Jacobs took a ton as a prep star in Tulsa, Okla., but he consistently shared work while with the Crimson Tide. It was good enough to get him noticed and make him the top rusher taken in this year\u2019s NFL draft as a powerful runner with limited wear on his tires.<\/p>\n<p>His camp turned that into a positive, saying he hadn\u2019t absorbed many hits as a collegian. Another side of that argument: There\u2019s no proof Jacobs can be a feature back.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s expected of someone drafted so high, and has been the lone question mark surrounding this top talent.<\/p>\n<p>Jacobs has great vision and slashing ability, a tough runner with surprising breakaway speed. Those traits were evident during Monday night\u2019s victory over Denver when he had 85 yards and two touchdowns on his 23 carries along with a 28-yard catch. As impressive as the totals were for an NFL debut, Jacobs got better as the game progressed. He had 38 yards on 12 first-half carries, and 47 yards on 11 second-half rushes, plus his big play in the passing game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Jacobs did all that in perfect health after the Raiders put him on ice save four preseason carries.<\/p>\n<p>The real question, as it has always been, is whether Jacobs can do that over and over again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m anxious to see how he feels today after 24 touches,\u201d head coach Jon Gruden said Tuesday, \u201cbecause we\u2019d like to get him 24 more next week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Well, Wednesday rolled around and Jacobs looked no worse for the wear.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know what\u2019s really great? He\u2019s out there and took every rep today, and that\u2019s a great sign,\u201d Gruden said. \u201cHe\u2019s sore, I\u2019m sure, but I think it sends a message to your teammates when you can come out there after carrying the ball 24-25 times and practice and practice the way that he did. It was really pretty good to see.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jacobs will have time to rest, recover and get ready for Sunday\u2019s clash with Kansas City. He\u2019ll be ready for another extensive workload, which generally means the score is close or the Raiders are ahead if they\u2019re running that much with one guy.<\/p>\n<p>Jacobs didn\u2019t think about Wednesday\u2019s practice as a statement. It was just part of his new job.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t feel as bad as I thought I would,\u201d Jacobs said. \u201cIt was just something to show durability I guess \u2013 that I can take 20 carries a game and still come out and be [a full participant].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He isn\u2019t just taking lots of carries. Jacobs is efficient, and he stands as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/raiders\/josh-jacobs-shows-hes-key-raiders-weapon-after-antonio-brown-exodus\" target=\"_blank\"> the first rookie <\/a>to total 100-plus yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his NFL debut since LaDainian Tomlinson did it in 2002.<\/p>\n<p>[<strong>RELATED: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/raiders\/keelan-doss-wants-show-he-belongs-raiders-after-whirlwind-week\" target=\"_blank\">Doss wants to show he belongs with Raiders after <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/raiders\/keelan-doss-wants-show-he-belongs-raiders-after-whirlwind-week\" target=\"_blank\">wild<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/raiders\/keelan-doss-wants-show-he-belongs-raiders-after-whirlwind-week\" target=\"_blank\"> week<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>Jacobs understands that his goal isn\u2019t performing well over 23 carries. It\u2019s about doing that in 16 straight times over the course of the regular season. Jacobs is staying in the moment, not focused on big pictures or his journey to a feature back\u2019s role.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think about it too much,\u201d Jacobs said. \u201cI just go out there and do what I can and mentally prepare to put myself into the best position possible to play well. That\u2019s the only thing that\u2019s really on my mind each week.\u201d<\/p>\n"
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Raiders

Raiders

ALAMEDA – Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs had 23 carries in his NFL debut. That’s more than he took in a single game during three full seasons at the University of Alabama.

Jacobs took a ton as a prep star in Tulsa, Okla., but he consistently shared work while with the Crimson Tide. It was good enough to get him noticed and make him the top rusher taken in this year’s NFL draft as a powerful runner with limited wear on his tires.

His camp turned that into a positive, saying he hadn’t absorbed many hits as a collegian. Another side of that argument: There’s no proof Jacobs can be a feature back.

That’s expected of someone drafted so high, and has been the lone question mark surrounding this top talent.

Jacobs has great vision and slashing ability, a tough runner with surprising breakaway speed. Those traits were evident during Monday night’s victory over Denver when he had 85 yards and two touchdowns on his 23 carries along with a 28-yard catch. As impressive as the totals were for an NFL debut, Jacobs got better as the game progressed. He had 38 yards on 12 first-half carries, and 47 yards on 11 second-half rushes, plus his big play in the passing game. 

Jacobs did all that in perfect health after the Raiders put him on ice save four preseason carries.

The real question, as it has always been, is whether Jacobs can do that over and over again.

“I’m anxious to see how he feels today after 24 touches,” head coach Jon Gruden said Tuesday, “because we’d like to get him 24 more next week.”

 

Well, Wednesday rolled around and Jacobs looked no worse for the wear.

“You know what’s really great? He’s out there and took every rep today, and that’s a great sign,” Gruden said. “He’s sore, I’m sure, but I think it sends a message to your teammates when you can come out there after carrying the ball 24-25 times and practice and practice the way that he did. It was really pretty good to see.”

Jacobs will have time to rest, recover and get ready for Sunday’s clash with Kansas City. He’ll be ready for another extensive workload, which generally means the score is close or the Raiders are ahead if they’re running that much with one guy.

Jacobs didn’t think about Wednesday’s practice as a statement. It was just part of his new job.

“I don’t feel as bad as I thought I would,” Jacobs said. “It was just something to show durability I guess – that I can take 20 carries a game and still come out and be [a full participant].”

He isn’t just taking lots of carries. Jacobs is efficient, and he stands as the first rookie to total 100-plus yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his NFL debut since LaDainian Tomlinson did it in 2002.

[RELATED: Doss wants to show he belongs with Raiders after wild week]

Jacobs understands that his goal isn’t performing well over 23 carries. It’s about doing that in 16 straight times over the course of the regular season. Jacobs is staying in the moment, not focused on big pictures or his journey to a feature back’s role.

“I don’t think about it too much,” Jacobs said. “I just go out there and do what I can and mentally prepare to put myself into the best position possible to play well. That’s the only thing that’s really on my mind each week.”