ALAMEDA – Raiders defensive lineman Justin Tuck injured his shoulder on Sunday against Denver, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. He tried to arm tackle Broncos running back C.J. Anderson while already on the ground, and his right shoulder got overextended by Anderson’s momentum.
The team captain was slow to get up and did not return to that game. He may not return to one any time soon.
Tuck had an MRI on Monday afternoon and head coach Jack Del Rio said Tuesday that the results were “not good.”
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“We’ll see where it goes,” Del Rio said.
Del Rio didn’t want to speculate about the possibility of him being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Del Rio’s admission of bad news is itself a sign, considering how tight-lipped he is about injuries in general. Nothing is certain, but it is possible that the Raiders will be without Tuck for some time.
According to NFL Network, there is concern that Tuck has a torn pectoral muscle though the 32-year old is subject to further tests.
NFL
The Raiders are on a bye this week, and don’t have to rush toward any roster transactions involving Tuck. They have a few weeks to evaluate their situation before making decisions that could impact the team or the player long-term.
“We’ll know what direction we need to go when we need to,” Del Rio said.
Tuck is a strong presence in the Raiders locker room, and someone young members on the defensive front in particular look up to. He has a solid relationship with Aldon Smith and is a big brother of sorts to Khalil Mack.
If Tuck is gone for the season, an extended stretch or a few weeks, second-round pick Mario Edwards Jr. will step in and fill his big shoes. Edwards had six tackles and half a sack in his first extended playing stretch of the season.
Tuck has 14 tackles and a sack this season.
INJURY NOTES
-- Taiwan Jones returned to practice for the first time in a few weeks on Wednesday, as he continues recovery from a foot injury. The Raiders have missed the speedy running back and return man, who is also their strongest cover man on special teams.
-- Running back Latavius Murray and safety Charles Woodson warmed up in Wednesday’s practice but did not participate due to shoulder injuries.
-- Safety TJ Carrie practiced after playing Sunday despite a chest injury.
-- Defensive linemen Denico Autry (concussion) and Justin Ellis (ankle) were also held out of practice.
-- The Raiders have one more day’s work on their bye week. They have an early Thursday morning practice before getting four straight days off this weekend.
NOTE: The team does not issue participation reports for bye-week practices.