Three takeaways from the Raiders’ decisive loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
Football
The Raiders know they have plenty to work on after a season-opening victory over the Broncos, but were encouraged by their ability to keep quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo from being sacked.
Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns to Jakobi Meyers, and the defense stiffened in the second half to secure a road win over the Denver Broncos.
Defensive end Chandler Jones continues to deal with a personal issue and most likely will be replaced in the lineup by veteran Malcolm Koonce and rookie Tyree Wilson.
Defensive end Chandler Jones was not with the team for Wednesday’s practice. He later posted that a member of the city’s Crisis Response Team was sent to his home.
Chandler Jones’ Instagram account was filled Tuesday morning with complaints about not being allowed in the Raiders’ facility to work out at the team gym.
Star Raiders running back Josh Jacobs said there were “no hard feelings” with the team after ending a long contract dispute by signing a one-year deal.
Rookie Aidan O’Connell probably will start the season as the Raiders’ third-string quarterback after the team decided to keep Brian Hoyer on the 53-man roster.
The Raiders face a 1 p.m. PT deadline Tuesday to submit their 53-man roster to the NFL. Ninety-one players were competing for spots in training camp.
After sitting out all of the offseason and training camp in a contract dispute, running back Josh Jacobs is returning to the Raiders.
With Josh Jacobs and the Raiders mired in a contract dispute, second-year running back Zamir White has been taking reps with the first team during training camp.
If the Raiders are going to play new QB Jimmy Garoppolo in the preseason, Saturday against the Rams represents the last real opportunity.
The Raiders have taken the rookie defensive end off the PUP list, paving the way for his Raiders debut.
The Raiders will spend Monday and Tuesday in Southern California ahead of joint practices and game against Rams.
For one afternoon, everything the Raiders have stressed since spring came to fruition in a win over the 49ers in the preseason opener Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.