The Las Vegas Raiders’ Thursday night clash against the Los Angeles Chargers just got a lot more uncertain, with star running back Josh Jacobs’ status hanging in the balance due to a quad injury.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Jacobs’ participation is “very much in doubt” following the Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The injury, initially reported as a knee issue by interim head coach Antonio Pierce, plagued Jacobs in the fourth quarter, forcing him to the locker room for evaluation. Though he bravely battled back to finish the game with 34 yards on 13 carries, his second-worst performance of the season, concern lingers about his availability for the critical division matchup.
Missing Jacobs would be a major blow to the Raiders’ already depleted offense. Both teams enter Thursday night with significant injury concerns. The Chargers, reeling from the season-ending finger surgery for quarterback Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen’s hip injury, will be without their offensive stars. For the Raiders, Davante Adams’ late addition to the injury report with an illness adds another layer of uncertainty, while Maxx Crosby’s ongoing knee issue remains a question mark.
If Jacobs is sidelined, the onus falls on Zamir White to step up as the primary ball carrier. Ameer Abdullah could also see an increased role in the backfield. However, replacing Jacobs’ impact will be no easy feat. His combination of power, agility, and receiving prowess has been a key cog in the Raiders’ offensive machine, and his absence would undoubtedly hinder their chances against a divisional rival.
The Raiders will need all hands on deck, both healthy and questionable, to overcome the adversity and secure a crucial victory in this pivotal Thursday night showdown.
