Las Vegas Raiders: 5 pressing questions heading into training camp
As NFL teams prepare to open training camps, we’ll look at pressing questions that hang over the Las Vegas Raiders before they take the practice field.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks went through off-site COVID-19 testing Thursday, and they’ll do so again Sunday. If the results come back negative, the team can allow them access to the facilities in Henderson, Nevada. All players will follow the same protocol.
Nonetheless, every team will go through a slow process before any on-field activities. The player’s association is still working on an offseason timeline. We may not see reports about padded practices until late August (h/t MMQB Albert Breer).
Yesterday, the NFLPA told players the working number on padded practices is 8, with no more than 3 consecutive days in full pads. Issue is that, per the likely timeline, padded practices won't start til late August.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 22, 2020
So if you want to kick off Sept. 13, very little wiggle room.
As the league irons out procedures, we’ll dive into the biggest questions going into an irregular training camp.
The Raiders have continuity, but the coaches must make sure that rookies and veteran acquisitions find their footing within the system. The Silver and Black selected two rookies in the first round of April’s draft. Both will have a chance to make an immediate impact. How realistic is it for them to contribute early?
We’ll also shine a light on two second-year players who could take significant strides—one went through a grueling offseason regimen to change his physical look.
Of course, we won’t have the answers to these questions right away but keep each inquiry in mind leading up to Week 1 of the 2020 season.