Donald Penn makes debut for Raiders after ending holdout
ARLINGTON, Texas — Two practices. Two series.
Donald Penn made his preseason debut Saturday, and the workload was about right.
The Raiders left tackle missed training camp because of a contract holdout. He reported to the team Wednesday, practicing twice before its third exhibition against the Dallas Cowboys. Penn did not start but worked during the second and third offensive series of a 24-20 loss at AT&T Stadium.
Penn, 34, protected quarterback Derek Carr as expected; Carr was not sacked all night.
To begin the game, Marshall Newhouse worked as the Raiders’ left tackle with Vadal Alexander on the right side. It was the same look the team featured throughout camp.
When Penn appeared on the second and third series, Newhouse flipped to right tackle with Alexander heading to the sideline. This is the expected arrangement come Sept. 10 when the Raiders open their season against the Titans.
Carr sharp
It didn’t seem to matter who was blocking Saturday.
Carr stayed upright and was sharp.
He completed 13 of 17 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. The first was a 17-yard dart split between two defenders for wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the end zone. The second hit wide receiver Amari Cooper in stride for 48 yards down the sideline.
Notable
— Patterson said Thursday he is not a believer in kneeling for touchbacks on kickoffs. He would have been better off Saturday. His two returns from inside the end zone were returned to the 19- and 15-yard line. NFL teams start at their 25-yard line after a touchback.
— Defensive tackle Treyvon Hester, a rookie seventh-round pick, recorded his third sack of the preseason. Undrafted rookie linebacker LaTroy Lewis caught a fumble midair on cornerback Antonio Hamilton’s third-quarter sack, returning it 65 yards for a touchdown.
— Running back Marshawn Lynch logged two carries for 6 yards and had a 7-yard catch. His evening was over after the second series. Like most starters, he won’t play in Thursday’s final preseason game against the Seahawks.
— Wide receiver Seth Roberts (illness), linebacker Cory James and tight end Lee Smith were among the Raiders players to miss action. It was Roberts’ second straight missed game, but he is recovering well, a source said. His absence Saturday was considered precautionary.
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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.
