ALAMEDA -- DeAndre Washington recently had arthroscopic knee surgery.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The running back is fighting for a place in what Jon Gruden called the Raiders’ most competitive position group.
The Raiders coach termed Washington’s surgery as minor, but it will keep him out of Friday’s preseason game against the Packers. It’s unlikely he’ll play next week in the preseason finale against the Seahawks.
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Washington didn’t play a snap last week at the Los Angeles Rams, meaning his preseason game work might be capped at the opener.
That isn’t a positive for someone thought to be the odd man out, behind Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin, Jalen Richard and upstart bruiser Chris Warren III.
Washington is a solid interior rusher with some wiggle in space, but the Raiders have plenty of thumpers. Richard might be a better receiver, which could give him an advantage on a roster spot.
Warren leads the NFL in preseason rushing yards, and has impressed coaches with his rushing and improvement in receiving and pass protection.
NFL
“I really like DeAndre,” Gruden said. “Running back might be our best position group, from top to bottom. Marshawn has had a great camp. Doug has had a great camp. Jalen is a superb back. Washington has been impressive in camp and in the last few years. Warren has been good. We have a fullback (in Keith Smith).
“We’d like to find a way to keep all of your backs.”
That might be tough, but not impossible.
Washington has proven to be an NFL-caliber running back who will end up getting carries somewhere, in Oakland or otherwise. He should have trade value, though getting him addition preseason work would’ve helped move him.
Gruden won’t have to make tough choices in the backfield for another week-plus, but they could come in time. Washington’s health might make those choices harder as we move closer to the regular season.
Vanderdoes destined to remain PUP?
Defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes missed the entire offseason program and training camp recovering from an ACL tear. That’s no real surprise, considering he got hurt on New Year’s Eve, in the 2017 season finale. That’s terrible timing and, despite pushing his rehab process, Gruden said it seems less and less likely he’ll come off the physically unable to perform list this preseason.
“It sure looks that way,” Gruden said. “I don’t want to say for sure, but he hasn’t had one day of practice with (the new coaching staff) yet. He’s getting better, but it’s been a slow process.”
The Raiders can move him to the regular-season PUP list just before making the final 53-man roster, meaning he must remain out for the first six weeks. He then has the next five weeks to open a 21-day practice window. After that, he must activated or remain on PUP all season.
The Raiders have a logjam at defensive tackle, meaning Vanderdoes would have a difficult chance working into the rotation without a prolonged practice stretch.
Preseason playing time
Raiders starters will see an extended playing stretch Friday, as is customary for the third preseason game. It won’t be as long as usual, as Gruden attempt to preserve his team’s health.
Gruden said the offensive and defensive starters will be into the second quarter before getting pulled -- they typically last beyond the half in the third exhibition -- for players lower on the depth chart.
They shouldn’t play much, if at all, in the exhibition finale.
Injury update
Defensive tackle P.J. Hall returned to practice Thursday after a day away, and should be good to go Friday.
Kicker Eddy Piñeiro remains out with a groin injury, making it highly unlikely he’ll play Friday against the Packers. He also missed last week’s game against the Rams. Mike Nugent should assume kicking duties for a second consecutive game.
Right tackle Breno Giacomini and safety Obi Melifonwu remain out with injuries.