ALAMEDA –- The Raiders are down two starters heading into Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. They won’t have safety Nate Allen or right tackle Austin Howard available due to knee injuries, a blow to both their respective position groups.
It seems likely Taylor Mays will step in for Allen has he did a week ago, though moving cornerback TJ Carrie back to strong safety is another option used before.
Allen practiced in a limited role on Wednesday, but didn’t participate the rest of the week. That’s a bad sign with just two games remaining, but head coach Jack Del Rio wasn’t ready to say it would eliminate his prospects of returning this year.
“I wouldn’t put it like that,” Del Rio said. “He tried to go and see where he was, and he was really limited in what he could do. We elected not to push him.”
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The Raiders are expected to shuffle the right side some in Howard’s absence, with right guard J’Marcus Webb sliding to right tackle and rookie fourth-round pick Jon Feliciano set to take Webb’s spot.
The Raiders are worse for physical wear in two spots, but still have star power available at receiver and off the edge. Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack were considered probable for a second week following limited work on Friday, when the team’s official injury report was released.
Cornerback Neiko Thorpe is questionable with a neck injury. If he can’t go, expect DJ Hayden to take more snaps.
Raiders injury report
Out: T Austin Howard (knee), S Nate Allen (knee)
Questionable: CB Neiko Thorpe (neck)
Probable: DE Shelby Harris (ankle), S Charles Woodson (shoulder) RB Taiwan Jones (knee), WR Amari Cooper (foot), DE Khalil Mack (knee)
Packers injury report
Out: WR Ty Montgomery (ankle), CB Sam Shields (concussion)
Questionable: DT Mike Daniels (hamstring), G T.J. Lang (shoulder), C Corey Linsley (ankle), WR Davonte Adams (foot)
Probable: T David Bakhtari (knee), T Bryan Bulaga (ankle), LB Clay Matthews (ankle), LB Nick Perry (shoulder), CB Casey Hayward (hamstring), G Josh Sitton (back)
