Oakland Raiders should see Gabe Jackson sooner than later

The Oakland Raiders did not place right guard Gabe Jackson on injured reserve to start the 2019 season, which means he could be back earlier than originally expected.

The Oakland Raiders had a pretty successful summer in terms of injuries, as they navigated the preseason schedule without an key losses. However, they did end up losing a key piece of the puzzle during the two-day joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, as Gabe Jackson hurt his knee.

While originally looking like a nightmare scenario, it turns out Jackson would only be missing two months, but that time-frame may be moving up. Jackson was not placed on injured reserve when the initial 53-man roster was released, and all the talk out of Raiders camp is that he is moving way ahead of schedule in terms of his rehab.

Getting Jackson back earlier than the first reported eight weeks would be huge for the Raiders, who had more than their fair share of issues up front along the offensive line last season. Quarterback Derek Carr was sacked over 50 times, and with all the deep-threat weapons the team brought in this offseason, he is going to need time for things to develop downfield.

Heading into the summer, Jackson was a guy that many believed would be a first time Pro Bowler, as he has continued to get better in each of his first five seasons in the NFL. Jackson is one of only three players remaining from the 2014 NFL Draft class that included Derek Carr and Khalil Mack.

Carr and Justin Ellis are the only other members of that draft class remaining.

For the time being, it looks like Denzelle Good could be the starting right guard for the Raiders to start the season, with Jordan Devey and Jonathan Cooper battling it out on the left side. Of course, in Week 3, Richie Incognito returns from suspension, and as of now, it looks like his starting mate will be back sooner than later.