With Johnathan Abram likely headed to IR, will the Raiders explore new options at safety?
After so much promise in Johnathan Abram’s Raiders’ debut, the former first-round pick suffered an injury causing him to potentially undergo surgery and miss extended time.
Raiders first-round pick Johnathan Abram suffered a torn rotator cuff and labrum during the first quarter of Monday’s victory over the Denver Broncos.
Abram was never removed from the game, but according to the report, the injury suffered will need surgery and could sideline him for the remainder of the season. ESPN reports that Abram will seek a second opinion on the injury suffered from Monday night’s game.
Abram, most notably is known for delivering viscous hits on the ball carrier, will be a huge loss for Paul Guenther’s defense as he was slotted in to start alongside Karl Joseph as the two ballhawking safeties.
In Abram’s NFL debut he recorded five total tackles and one pass defended.
Raiders Rookie Safety Johnathan Abram tore his Rotator cuff and Labrum in the first quarter of last night’s game. He will have surgery this week...likely ending his season, per source.
— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) September 11, 2019
Jon Gruden will now turn to the ‘next man up mentality’ with Curtis Riley, Erik Harris and Dallin Leavitt as the remaining safeties to take over in Abram’s starting role. Riley played 25% of snaps in week one’s matchup against Denver and ultimately played pretty solid. He looks to be the front-runner who will fill the hole at safety with Abram sidelined.
Although the Raiders have options internally, the Athletic’s Vic Tafur says it wouldn’t surprise him if they took a look in bringing in former Bengals safety George Iloka. He played under Guenther’s defensive scheme for six years in Cincinnati and in fact, took a visit with Oakland last year but the two sides couldn’t come together on a contract.
Another unsigned free-agent is longtime Kansas City Chiefs safety, Eric Berry. His experience and leadership qualities in the league is just the type of guy that Jon Gruden gravitates towards when looking to acquire veterans. Plus, Berry has spent nine years playing in the AFC West, facing the Broncos and Chargers twice a year, already having seen quality looks when playing against two division rivals.
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Berry is now 30-years old and may have lost a step in his game, but one thing that’s clear is he has played football at a high level. He’s been selected to five pro-bowls, three all-pro teams and earned the 2015 comeback player of the year. It could be an interesting acquisition if the Raiders decide to pivot towards that direction.