Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders are hoping to improve their rushing attack in 2019. Although, they'll start training camp without their fullback in Keith Smith.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Smith will be out several weeks with a knee issue. Thus, making it a possibility that Smith misses all of training camp.

The Raiders fullback suffered the injury earlier this offseason while he was training by himself. It's possible that Smith is placed on the non-football injury list or the physically unable to perform list.

Regardless, Smith could be activated from either of those lists before the regular season begins. Undrafted rookie Alec Ingold will likely assume the starting fullback role while Smith misses time.

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Last season, was the first season that Smith spent with the Raiders after spending four years with the Dallas Cowboys. Although, the Raiders running game has been vastly different than the Cowboys with Ezekiel Elliott.

This offseason, the Raiders drafted Josh Jacobs in the first round in hopes he could improve their rushing attack. Jacobs comes from Alabama where he shared touches with Damien Harris.

Therefore, Jacobs has fresher legs compared to other young running backs coming into the NFL. Although, Jacobs is going to need his fullback in Smith make a return to the lineup.

In 2018, Oakland ranked 25h in rushing offense so it shouldn't be hard to improve that number in 2019. If the Raiders can run the ball effectively this year, their offense should be dangerous with Derek Carr throwing to Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams.