It's tough to figure out this Las Vegas Raiders team through the first seven games of the season. They obviously aren't bad, as they sit at 3-4 and have beaten all three of the teams that they should have. And they competed with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, who are tied atop the AFC right now.
But they've also been smoked by the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, two teams on which the jury is still out. Both teams were also incredibly banged up when they played the Silver and Black, making it all the more difficult to understand just how good or how bad Klint Kubiak's team is.
So when the Raiders see the initial injury report for the New York Jets ahead of their Week 8 matchup, and their opponent looks to be without a few major contributors, it doesn't even feel like that much of an advantage, if it is one at all. And the Jets have injuries, but they're also getting key players back.
Raiders can't let a loaded Jets injury report fool them before Week 8
Let's take a look at who was on the field for New York as Aaron Glenn's team returned to practice on Wednesday, following their brutal Week 7 loss to the winless Miami Dolphins.
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
David Bailey | DE | Groin | DNP |
DeMario Davis | LB | NIR - Rest | DNP |
T'Vondre Sweat | DT | Knee | DNP |
Harrison Phillips | DT | NIR - Rest | DNP |
Joseph Ossai | EDGE | Ankle | DNP |
Max Mitchell | OL | Concussion | DNP |
Breece Hall | RB | Quad | Limited |
Braelon Allen | RB | Ankle | Limited |
Dylan Parham | G | Knee | Limited |
At first glance, this looks like a CVS receipt. And even for a bad team like the Jets, there are some very notable names on here. One would believe, just by looking at the list, that New York would be undermanned or playing with critical players at less than 100%. But that is not really the case at all.
First, Davis and Phillips, who are both starters on an above-average defense, were out simply due to rest, as a lot of veterans are on Wednesday. Mitchell is just a backup offensive lineman, and Ossai is merely a rotational player. Not unimportant, but they've operated without him for most of the season.
Bailey and Sweat would both be big losses for the Jets' front. The former was the No. 2 overall pick behind Fernando Mendoza this past April, and he's really had his moments this year, even if he's streaky. Sweat is a big space-eater in the middle who is a critical part of the defensive tackle unit.
Glenn wouldn't comment much on either of their injuries, but neither sounded particularly promising. Of course, anything can happen, as Raider Nation saw last week with Puka Nacua. But it seems like these two are at least trending in the wrong direction. That certainly helps Las Vegas.
The fact that Hall and Parham are limited, though, is bad news for the Silver and Black. These two players last took the field in Week 3, but they could potentially return for Week 8's matchup against the Raiders, which would certainly hurt Las Vegas.
Hall is a dynamic player, both as a runner and a pass-catcher. And everyone knows how badly Rob Leonard's unit has struggled against the run in 2026. Fans know Parham very well, and he was playing exceptionally before his injury. The Raiders' weak defensive interior could have issues with him.
Allen has been playing incredibly well, but him getting banged up in Week 7 with Hall out could have put the Jets' running back situation in complete disarray. But it seems like he could easily play on Sunday with a limited designation early in the week, and Hall may be back anyway.
New York could be without two of its key fixtures on defense, but it may be getting back two prominent members of its offense. As for the rest of their injury report, it is comprised either of players who are simply resting or those who wouldn't ordinarily be consequential in the matchup.
Raiders seem to be healthy ahead of Week 8 based on initial injury report
Not only did the Raiders get Dont'e Thornton Jr. back from the injured reserve, but there is a chance that they double-dip and Jack Bech also returns for Week 8. The rest of the injury report is fairly smooth as well for Las Vegas; at least it was on Wednesday.
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Patrick Johnson | DE | Stinger | DNP |
Brock Bowers | TE | Calf | Limited |
Quay Walker | LB | Chest | Limited |
DJ Glaze | RT | Ankle | Limited |
Kwity Paye | DE | NIR - Rest | Limited |
Foley Fatukasi | DT | Shoulder | Limited |
Ian Thomas | TE | Shoulder | Limited |
Carter Runyon | TE | Foot | Full |
Johnson was the only player who missed practice. Even though the Raiders have so many players limited, this can just be cautionary, and oftentimes it is. Bowers had both a hamstring and calf injury listed last week, so it seems like his hamstring is feeling better.
Walker was dealing with a chest injury last week and almost didn't play, so it makes sense to have him on a snap count early in the week. Glaze is new to the injury report, but he played every snap in Week 7, so hopefully his ailment isn't severe enough to hold him out on Sunday. He's been great in 2026.
Paye needing a rest day is a bit odd, but not outside the realm of normal. Fatukasi and Thomas being limited by shoulder injuries is not the end of the world, either. And Runyon seems to be nearing a return, if the team decides to activate him. He's practiced in full for weeks now.
Oh, and Mike Washington Jr. and Trey Zuhn III, who were on the injury report last week, are now off it. All told, the Raiders' injury list isn't too bad ahead of Week 8. Let's hope that there are no late-week setbacks or additions before Sunday's contest against the Jets.
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