Oakland Raiders: Injury Updates

in News / by Aaron Morales / on August 19, 2012 at 11:10 pm /

Just over 48 hours after the Oakland Raiders second preseason game, and a day before a much-needed day of rest for a team that just played 2 games in the span of 5 days we bring you an update on the injuries. Plenty of players missed Friday’s game against Arizona and a few others joined them on the list of injured. Sunday, though, did see the return of a couple of key players. So let’s get going on your updates on the injury front.

Injured in Friday’s Game:

Jacoby Ford (foot): As Eric Gilmore of CBSSPorts.com points out, Ford’s MRI did not show any kind of structural damage. He also pointed out that it is not the same type of foot injury (lisfranc injury) that ended Darren McFadden’s season this past year. Unfortunately, despite the good news, the team may still be without it’s speedy wide receiver and lead returner of punts and kickoffs for the start of the season.

Matt Leinart (lacerated right index finger): Leinart took a vicious hit that knocked him out of the game in the 3rd quarter of Friday’s game, and what looked like a hit that may have caused a concussion, what it actually caused was a gash on his finger. He did suit up on Sunday, but did not participate in practice, but Coach Allen said, basically, that he’ll be fine.

Mike Goodson (shoulder weakness): Goodson also left Friday’s game early, but by Saturday Allen had this to say, “Goodson just had some weakness in his shoulders but we looked at him today and he feels good and looks good.” And by Sunday he was back practicing with the team. It seems the weakness in his shoulder is secondary to the issue with the fumbles, which he worked extra hard on this Sunday.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (shoulder): “DHB” missed practice Sunday after exiting Friday’s game a bit prematurely, but Allen doesn’t expect him to miss a whole lot more time due to the shoulder injury. “It was not serious.” he said, adding that it was just a little sore.

Back at Practice:

Taiwan Jones (hamstring): Taiwan returned to practice Sunday afternoon for the first time in quite a while. From all accounts, he seemed to look great out on the field. His same explosive self. As Dennis Allen put it, and as you would expect after such a long layoff “It looked like he had fresh legs.” And how did he look to Coach Allen? “He looked good, was explosive, and so it was good to have him back out there.”

Brandon Myers (shoulder): Myers has also been out a couple of weeks, and has returned to the practice field after a bit of a layoff. Although his comeback wasn’t as pronounced as Jones’ was, he seems to be coming along nicely. When asked how Myers looked, the head coach had this to say “He was okay. We wanted him to get out here and move around.” Allen also added , “He’s still a little sore. But I think he’s going to be just fine.”

Shane Lechler (knee): Lechler, who had arthroscopic just 10 days before camp and was placed on the “Active/Non-Football Injury” list to start training camp. Early Sunday afternoon, the team announced that Lechler had passed his physical and had been removed from the list. He made it on to the practice field, and at one point boomed back-to-back 60 yard punts. I’d say he’s back.

On the Brink:

Denarius Moore (hamstring): As I stated here back on 08/05 when Moore re-injured his hamstring during practice, the most likely scenario would be that the team would hold Moore out most of camp, not risking the re-aggravation of the hamstring before the start of the season. Moore has been working out with trainers on the side during practice. He is looking closer to returning. Most likely by the final preseason game.

Aaron Curry (knees): It had been widely reported, and subsequently confirmed by Dennis Allen, that Curry was given permission to go down to Los Angeles to have a specialist work on his knees. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the issue is tendinitis. Apparently there are some pretty good doctors out in the L.A. area because Curry is back on the field. No, he’s not on the actual practice field yet, but he was working on the side along with Denarius Moore with the trainers, and looked good doing it. His return may come sooner than expected.