Raiders' Keelan Doss takes next step in NFL journey with first catch

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After four long weeks, the moment we all waited for finally arrived.

Raiders rookie wide receiver Keelan Doss was active in both Week 2 and Week 3, but he saw limited snaps and was not targeted.

That changed Sunday during the fourth quarter of the Raiders' Week 4 meeting with the Indianapolis Colts. With the Silver and Black leading by 14 points in the fourth quarter, quarterback Derek Carr bought time on second-and-14 and hit Doss over the middle for his first NFL catch, a gain of 14 yards and a first down.

The UC Davis product was one of just four active Raiders receivers Sunday, and he's slowly working his way into coach Jon Gruden's good graces.

Doss was just happy to contribute to the Raiders' 31-24 win in anyway possible.

“I mean, it’s been a long one, definitely -- just to be on the field, but at the same time, I don’t take any of it for granted," Doss said after the game. "I come out here every day with a chip on my shoulder and just work hard and prove myself every day. If I do that every day, I will be fine. It’s just making plays when my name is called."

[RELATED: Gruden follows Bobby Knight's advice to lead Raiders past Colts]

The Alameda native became a fan favorite during the preseason thanks to HBO's "Hard Knocks," but he was cut after the final game and caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But after Antonio Brown went AWOL and demanded his release, the Raiders did what they needed to bring Doss back to where he belongs: The East Bay, helping the Raiders prove all of their doubters wrong.

They silenced the doubters in droves with their win over the Colts.

“One thing about this team is that we never quit," Doss said. "We have a strong mindset -- that every week we can come out here and get the job done. Everyone on the team is exceptional, especially at their positions. We know the talent we have. It’s just coming out here and executing.”

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