Whether or not Crabtree plays, Talib ‘ain't worried about Crab-boy's chain'

Share

ALAMEDA – Michael Crabtree was a limited participant most of this practice week. Then the Raiders’ leading receiver missed Friday’s walk-through session. A red flag went up.

Was there a set back in a chest injury suffered in Sunday’s loss at Washington? Might that impact his chances of playing the upcoming contest at Denver?

Coach Jack Del Rio, do you want to get into that?

“No. I don’t want to get into it.”

Del Rio always takes a hard pass regarding injuries, especially so close to game day. Crabtree’s officially questionable on the team’s injury report, which means a juicy matchup might not happen.

Crabtree doesn’t much like Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib. Denver’s All-Pro cover man ripped a gold chain straight off Crabtree’s neck in last year’s regular-season finale. The action was unprompted, and done with malice.

Crabtree was pissed, but didn’t retaliate for a few reasons. A win in Denver would’ve won the AFC West, and he was super close to 1,000 receiving yards (and the bonus that came with it). No sense in harming his team.

The pair were scheduled to play on Sunday. It’ll be an intriguing matchup if it happens. That’ll depend on Crabtree’s health.

Talib, for his part, isn’t focused on history lining up opposite Crabtree.

“I’m not worried about ‘Crab boy’s’ chain,” Talib told Denver reporters. “I’m not worried about any of that. I’m worried about what routes these guys are running, what concepts these guys are running and stuff like that. So that’s the last thing I’m worried about.”

Talib believes Crabtree and Cooper – he was removed from the injury report Friday – will play in this crucial early game.

“It doesn’t matter who’s on the injury report. Crabtree and Cooper will play.”

Crabtree was the only Raider missing Friday’s practice, but safety Keith McGill and cornerback Gareon Conley are also considered questionable. The Raiders certainly hope Conley can play and bring some stability to the secondary, though his shin remains an issue.

Raiders injury report

Questionable: WR Michael Crabtree (chest), DB Keith McGill (foot), Gareon Conley (shin)

Broncos injury report

Out: QB Paxton Lynch (shoulder)

Questionable: WR Cody Latimer (knee)

Contact Us