ALAMEDA – The Raiders have had to restructure their interior defensive line on the fly.
Justin Ellis’ foot injury prompted a move to injured reserve – he’s expected to return later this season – and P.J. Hall’s sprained ankle will keep him out one game, maybe more.
The latter became official on Friday afternoon, when Hall was formally ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos on the team’s official injury report.
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Though that was expected, it’s still a blow to the Raiders defensive front. Wednesday signings Johnathan Hankins and Clinton McDonald must step in and play feature roles despite just two days of practice.
Excluding rookie Maurice Hurst, defensive tackles have virtually no experience in the Raiders system. Hankins and McDonald started on-field work Thursday, and Brian Price arrived Sept. 3.
“We lost two defensive tackles,” head coach Jon Gruden said. “Somebody has to come in and help us out.”
Learning the terminology is difficult in such a short span, but Hankins said he has played in similar defensive fronts and is comfortable playing one technique or three technique.
NFL
Hankins has been a free agent since March and therefore missed training camp and a preseason, but believes he can be impactful on Sunday.
“I definitely feel like I can go out there and play. They’re going to be careful with me when I’m out there. They’re going to have a nice rotation so, I might be a little gassed, but that’s football. Given that this is my first game, they won’t leave me out there dying or anything.”
Playing at altitude might make things harder, but the Raiders need bodies inside to slow Denver’s run game. Hurst could be getting a heavy workload as the Raiders try to find effective players next to him.
Right guard Gabe Jackson was considered questionable for Sunday with a pectoral strain, but he is expected to play.
The Broncos are shockingly healthy. They have every player available on Sunday, a rarity for any time outside the season’s opening week.
RAIDERS
Out
DT P.J. Hall (ankle)
Questionable
RB DeAndre Washington (knee)
RG Gabe Jackson (pectoral)
WR Dwayne Harris (foot)
BRONCOS
NOTE: The Broncos are completely healthy. Their entire team practiced fully on Friday and everyone will be available for activation on Sunday afternoon.