Programming note: For comprehensive Raiders coverage from Alameda, tune in to SportsNet Central tonight at 6:00, 10:30 and midnight on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.
ALAMEDA – Raiders quarterback Matt Scahub said he has never had elbow troubles before now.
Soreness crept up a few weeks back and lingered on, prompting the Raiders to prescribe rest and treatment.
“It’s been something that’s been around and we’re just managing it and taking care of it,” Schaub said after Monday’s practice. “It just gotten to a point that we need to just figure out what is really happening and just take care of it.”
While elbow soreness has been present in his throwing arm, Schaub doesn’t believe it’s impacted his ability to function as a passer.
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“It hasn’t really affected, it’s just bothersome,” Schaub said. “It’s something that I notice and something that I just want to take care of, you know, and get it out of the way.”
Schaub has struggled some this preseason, as have his receivers. There is a perception that he’s lacking arm strength, though Allen refutes that claim.
The Raiders hope Schaub’s elbow responds well this time off, as they plan to start him in the regular-season opener against the New York Jets.
Schaub said he is “100 percent” confident that his elbow will be ready to go for the regular season. That belief extends to the coaching staff. Head coach Dennis Allen said he was not concerned about Schaub’s elbow.
“We’re going to take him day-by-day and try to make sure he’s ready to go,” Allen said.
The Raiders want him ready for the regular season, making it extremely unlikely that he’ll play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks. They haven’t set a specific amount of time for Schaub to rest.
It’s clear Schaub doesn’t consider this new elbow issue a big deal, certainly not the four-alarm fire they’ve set off in the East Bay.
“No, I don’t,” Schaub said. “I’ve always handled things pretty well. You always go through things in this game, the little nicks and things that can come up, and you just deal with them and you handle them and you move on, so I’m not concerned about it.”
