Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley returned to practice Monday for the first time since suffering a hip strain during the team's first training camp practice on July 27, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN reports.
Conley was expected to return after he took part in pregame drills before Oakland's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions on Friday.
“Yeah, it's great to see Gareon out there,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said after practice. “He healed quicker than anybody expected. It's a credit to him and our training staff. We need him to get some work.”
Conley, the Raiders' first-round draft pick in 2017, missed all but two games during his rookie year as he suffered a shin injury which required surgery. But big things are expected of him this year.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden has talked up the young cornerback this offseason, saying he will play an integral part in the team’s secondary.
That secondary has undergone some significant alterations this offseason. Rashaan Melvin, Shareece Wright, Leon Hall, and Daryl Worley have all been added in free agency to help Conley improve a pass defense which underperformed last season.
Conley’s ability to stay on the field will play a major factor in that unit’s success or failure this season. But if the young corner can finally put his injury concerns behind him, the Raiders’ chances of improving in that area should increase.
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