Raiders RT Alexander draws start; LB Bowman expected to play

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Little of this is new to Vadal Alexander.

The Raiders offensive lineman will start Thursday at right tackle in place of Marshall Newhouse. It will be Alexander’s sixth career start and third at the position. It also will mark the second time he’s started a “Thursday Night Football” game against the Kansas City Chiefs in as many years.

There is, however, a key difference.

Alexander received advance notice this time.

All week, the second-year veteran took first-team reps at right tackle with Newhouse recovering from a foot injury suffered Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Alexander saw no such reps leading up to last year’s Thursday start. He learned on game day at Arrowhead Stadium that left guard Kelechi Osemele would be a late scratch due to a kidney stone.

“It was a last-minute thing,” Alexander said. “I barely got any reps. I just had to go in and handle my business. This is a little better. Definitely.”

Alexander, 23, was a 2016 seventh-round draft from LSU.

His first starts as a rookie came at right tackle in Weeks 4 and 5 versus the Baltimore Ravens and Chargers, respectively. He twice started as a sixth offensive lineman late in the season. Otherwise, Week 14 against the Chiefs was the only other true start of his career.

In 2017, the Raiders have kept him active.

He briefly rotated in their opener against the Tennessee Titans but allowed 1 1/2 sacks over a two-play period. That effectively put an end to the team’s planned right-tackle rotation. It still has used Alexander as an extra blocker, a role where he saw six of his seven offensive snaps Sunday.

“Getting reps in different packages keeps me in the game every week,” Alexander said. “I’ve got plays through weeks of the season, so I’m ready to go. I’m very confident in what I can do to help this offensive line and this offense.”

Bowman ready to go

Navorro Bowman appeared in 96 games, including the postseason, with the San Francisco 49ers.

The experience is helping him acclimate to his new team.

The Raiders signed the linebacker on Monday following his release last Friday. Despite the short turnaround, he is expected to play Thursday. Bowman’s presence is welcome for a young linebacker group that has three players — Cory James (knee), Marquel Lee (ankle) and Nicholas Morrow (ankle) — listed as questionable to face Kansas City.

“He’s looked good,” coach Jack Del Rio said on Wednesday. “He’s a veteran. He understands ball. We’ve not tried to install the entire playbook, but specific game plans and things. He’s had a good week. Even though it’s a short week, we feel good and he’ll play.”

Notable

— Fullback Jamize Olawale (concussion) was the only non-linebacker listed as questionable on the Raiders’ injury report. He missed last Sunday’s game and has yet to have a full practice since the Oct. 8 injury versus the Ravens.

— Cornerback Gareon Conley (shin) remains out indefinitely. He hasn’t practiced for two straight weeks.

— The Raiders cut linebacker Tyrell Adams to clear roster space for Bowman. Any desire to re-sign him to the practice squad was dashed Wednesday when the Buffalo Bills claimed him off waivers. The Bills will host the Raiders on Oct. 29.

More Raiders: Follow all of our Raiders coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Raiders and @NFLinVegas on Twitter.

Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.