ALAMEDA – Raiders defensive lineman Justin Ellis has been excited about a return to action before. The second-year pro’s sprained ankle was deemed good to go for a Week 4 contest against Chicago. He survived that, only to suffer a setback in practice.
It was as much a mental setback as a physical one for a player who lives for game day.
“I moved to California to play football, not to sit around and watch,” Ellis said. “I went through this grind starting in the offseason with my teammates, so you want to be out there with them.”
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Ellis will get that chance on Sunday against the New York Jets, a game where the Raiders must be stout in the trenches. Ellis can help that effort, with size and physicality against the run.
Ellis and Denico Autry add quality to a rotation recently thinned by injury. Ellis should get inserted into the starting lineup, where he and Dan Williams can combine to clog interior rushing lanes.
The Raiders missed Ellis for most of four football games, the last two were due to a setback no injured player wants.
“Last time I came back it didn’t work out too well,” Ellis said. “This time, though, I’m confident in my ankle. We wanted to make sure I got right. There’s a lot season ahead of us, and I want to come back and stay back.”
NFL
The Raiders are in great shape health-wise. Linebacker Neiron Ball is out with a knee injury, but the rest of the team is probable or clear of injury heading into Sunday’s game.
Raiders injury report
Out: LB Neiron Ball (knee)
Probable: S Charles Woodson (shoulder), DT Denico Autry (concussion), S TJ Carrie (shoulder), CB Keith McGill (foot)
Jets injury report
Out: RB Bilal Powell (ankle), S Calvin Pryor (ankle), WR Devon Smith (ankle)
Doubtful:C Nick Mangold (neck)
Questionable:G Willie Colon (knee), WR Eric Decker (knee), CB Buster Skrine (shoulder, hand)
Probable: WR Devin Smith (ankle), S Dion Bailey (hip), OT Breno Giacomini (thumb), RB Chris Ivory (hamstring), P Ryan Quigley (shin), DE Leonard Williams (knee), CB Marcus Williams (hamstring), DB Dexter McDougle (hand)