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What the Las Vegas Raiders offensive line would look like without all five starters

By Brad Weiss

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 24: Offensive tackle Trent Brown #77 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 24: Offensive tackle Trent Brown #77 of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the first half of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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We will know more today whether or not the Raiders will have their starting offensive line for Sunday. Here is what it would look like if they do not.

On Wednesday, as the Las Vegas Raiders prepared to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a primetime game in Week 7, bad news started spreading around the building. Starting right tackle Trent Brown, who just returned from injury, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, starting a domino effect on the roster.

After Brown tested positive, the entire starting offensive line was sent home, as was starting safety Johnathan Abram. While head coach Jon Gruden stated they would know more today, as the team starts their rapid testing to see who has the virus, and who does not, Raider Nation hangs in the balance.

The Buccaneers have an elite defense, one that not only is outstanding against the run, but also is top-5 in sacks. If the Raiders starting offensive line cannot go, here is what the Bucs would be up against up front.

Raiders offensive line without their five starters

  • RT: Brandon Parker
  • RG: John Simpson
  • C: Andre James
  • LG: Patrick Omameh
  • LT: Sam Young

Anyway you slice it, whether you want Sam Young on the left side, and Brandon Parker on the right, this is an extremely big drop off from the starting five. John Simpson showed flashes when he started in place of Gabe Jackson, but this group as a whole would be eaten alive by the Bucs defense.

While everybody waits in limbo over the next 24 hours, the fact is, this is a huge game for the Raiders franchise, which is coming off a signature win against Kansas City before the bye week. A win on Sunday night continues to establish them as a playoff contender this season, but that seems unlikely if the starting five cannot go.

Next. Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. dark

We have a long way to go before we have to start really worrying about this, as the NFL could move the Raiders game to Monday night, clearing up time for guys to get cleared. Playing this Tampa Bay defense without the starting offensive line would be devastating, and hopefully, everything works out in the end.

Outside of what this does to the Raiders offense, the biggest concern is obviously Trent Brown’s health, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

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