The Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to right the ship against the New York Jets in Week 8, because if they don't, their season could completely fall off the rails. The result of Sunday's contest will alter the plans of the franchise dramatically, so it can't be overstated just how big this matchup truly is.
John Spytek and Klint Kubiak had no shortage of roster decisions to make ahead of this AFC bout, with several players returning from injury and not a lot of room to spare for them. And the decisions did not get any easier just before the game, as the Raiders are running heavy at several positions.
Here are the inactives for Week 8's game against the Jets:
QB Aidan O'Connell - Emergency 3rd QB
WR Dont'e Thornton Jr.
WR Malik Benson
SAF Tristin McCollum
SAF Dalton Johnson
G Bryce Cabeldue
DT JJ Pegues
Lots to discuss here.
Las Vegas Raiders Week 8 inactives vs. Jets
First, let's talk about the shake-up at wide receiver. With Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech returning from injury, the Raiders weren't going to keep seven active on Sunday. So, Thornton Jr., after missing Weeks 1-7 and getting activated at the eleventh hour, will not suit up in Week 8 for Las Vegas.
This is disappointing for the young player, but Kubiak made it sound as if he still had a long way to go. Benson being inactive is also fairly shocking, as he has played in every game this year. But the team opted for Bech over him, and Dareke Young plays more snaps on special teams, so it makes sense.
Pegues was active in Week 7 and played well against the Los Angeles Rams, making a handful of nice plays against the run and forcing a fumble. In fact, when Jonah Laulu was released, it seemed like his play was a significant factor in that. But Pegues is back in street clothes for Week 8.
In his place, the Raiders will have Thomas Booker IV active, as well as Tim Keenan III, who has been called up from the practice squad for the second straight week now. Booker IV was inactive last week, but Las Vegas is continuing to make tweaks to the defensive tackle group, it seems.
O'Connell has been inactive every week this season, and McCollum, Johnson and Cabeldue have largely been right there with him. Darrell Luter Jr., who spent much of the season's first half on the inactive list, will play again on Sunday.
Jackson Powers-Johnson popped up on the injury report mid-week, and he was listed as questionable. But JPJ will play against the Jets. Cian Slone was elevated from the practice squad for the third straight week as well, but he will finally be active for the first time in New York.
Jets Week 8 inactives vs. Las Vegas
T'Vondre Sweat was placed on IR earlier this week, so while he is not listed on their inactive list, he will not play against the Raiders on Sunday. Other key Jets not in the lineup include running back Breece Hall and defensive end David Bailey, both of whom are above-average starters.
Dylan Parham will return to the lineup for New York, and that will help tremendously against a Las Vegas team with very few answers on the defensive interior. Backups/rotational players like Joseph Ossai and Max Mitchell are both out for Aaron Glenn's team as well.
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