Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has been putting on a show during his rookie year. He's a front-runner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and the clear focal point of the Raiders offense.
However, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN, Jacobs has been playing on a fractured right shoulder ever since Week 7. When asked about the injury, Jacobs was nonchalant.
“I just play on it” Jacobs said.
The rookie may not make it sound like much, but playing through that significant of an injury is quite a feat. Fractured shoulders are no joke and can sideline players for months. Luckily for the Raiders, Jacobs is tough enough to play through it.
Without Jacobs, Oakland's offense cam become stagnant. Quarterback Derek Carr has cooled down as of late, as indicated by his 13th-ranked quarterback ranking. Carr is also on a cold streak, being benched against the New York Jets in Week 12 and leading the offense to only nine points in Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The game against the Chiefs could've tied Oakland for first in the AFC West.
Despite the Raiders' horrible offensive performance against a sub-par defense in Week 13, Jacobs was again the lone bright spot. He totaled 104 yards on only 17 carries. Without Jacobs, the Raiders' offense could be a struggling unit.
Technically, Oakland is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. But after dropping two consecutive games, those odds seem slim. If Jacobs' injury worsens, don't be surprised if the Raiders shut him down for the year.
Follow Us
Subscribe