The Las Vegas Raiders are not expecting to have safety Johnathan Abram for their Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, due to his recent close contact with offensive tackle Trent Brown, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week.
“While the Raiders O-linemen on the COVID-19 list because they are high-risk close contacts have a chance to play Sunday, sources say that star S Johnathan Abram does not,” NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted. “He’s listed as having contact with Trent Brown on Tuesday & wouldn’t be cleared in time.”
Raiders had coach Jon Gruden sent the four other starting offensive linemen—Kolton Miller, Denzelle Good, Rodney Hudson, and Gabe Jackson—home on Monday after Brown tested positive, but hoped to have them back in time for Sunday. However, Abram was with Brown on Tuesday, which would not give the second-year safety time to be cleared for the face off against Tom Brady and the high-powered Buccaneers offense at Allegiant Stadium.
Five days have to pass for since their last interaction with the positive player for those deemed high risk close contacts to be cleared for a return.
Considering how Tampa Bay dominated the Green Bay Packers on both sides of the ball last Sunday, the Raiders (3-2) could certainly use as many of their starters as possible (a hot take!). Abram leads the Raiders in tackles (28) on the season.
Las Vegas has not had any other positive tests and the game is still set to be played, though it was moved to Sunday afternoon (4:05 ET) to ensure Sunday Night Football has a game in case something changes.
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