Raiders CB David Amerson suffers 3rd concussion in 13 months

Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) leaves the field in the first half of their game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Colo., Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

DENVER — A troubling pattern has developed for David Amerson.

Its latest chapter surfaced Sunday at Sports Authority Field and could impact his availability moving forward.

The Raiders cornerback suffered a concussion in the first quarter of a 16-10 loss to the Broncos. The concussion was his third in less than 13 months after being diagnosed with one Aug. 26 in an exhibition versus the Dallas Cowboys and Sept. 18, 2016, against the Atlanta Falcons.

The first diagnosed concussion of his pro career came in 2013 as a Washington Redskins rookie.

Oakland already was without cornerback Gareon Conley on Sunday. He was inactive after being listed Friday as questionable with a shin injury. He missed all of training camp, the preseason and the first regular-season game to the ailment.

It is unclear how close Conley is to a return. That he practiced Thursday and Friday, albeit in a limited fashion, offers some hope. But now, Amerson’s issue compounds the uncertainty at the position.

Amerson suffered his concussion upon lowering his helmet into tight end A.J. Derby at the end of a 29-yard reception.

T.J. Carrie, Sean Smith, Dexter McDonald and Antonio Hamilton were the Raiders’ only available corners for the remainder of the game.

“I thought defensively we hung in there,” coach Jack Del Rio said. “We had to. We had to go up and get stops and we did. Khalil Mack was outstanding once again. We ended up with four sacks. … We knew the front was going to be good for us. I thought (the corners) stepped up and played well.”

Fake punt thwarted

The risk was not rewarded. Del Rio understands the consequences.

As the head coach, he shoulders the responsibility on such situations as the one Sunday when the Raiders attempted but failed to convert a fake punt late in the third quarter.

“That comes squarely to me when those things don’t work,” Del Rio said. “That is what the head coach gets, good or bad. You get the results with those plays.”

What happened afterward is a separate matter.

From the Raiders’ own 33-yard line on fourth-and-11, punter Marquette King attempted a fake punt that Del Rio said was called from the sideline. King ran right but found little room, being tackled for a 3-yard loss. The play was over. Then, King threw the football in frustration to cost the Raiders an additional 15 yards.

The Broncos wound up missing a 29-yard field goal on the ensuing drive.

No harm done on the flag.

Still, some consequences were expected for King, such as a $12,154 fine from the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct and a chat from Del Rio.

“I have not said anything yet, but you can be assured that I will,” Del Rio said.

Notable

— Running back Marshawn Lynch wore a T-shirt to and from the stadium that read: “Everybody vs. Trump.” He was the only player on either team Sunday not to stand during the national anthem. He sat on the sideline throughout the preseason and now regular season so far. As was the case again, a group of Raiders staffers surrounded him while sitting, presumably to prevent camera angles for photographers. An image of Lynch sitting during the preseason gained national traction.

— Wide receiver Michael Crabtree did not play. The Raiders downgraded him from questionable to doubtful on their injury report Saturday. He reportedly suffered a bruised lung against Washington.

— Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. notched his third sack in four weeks. Entering the season, he had two in 16 career games. Mack had two sacks on Sunday. Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin was credited with his first sack of the season.

— Wide receiver Amari Cooper dropped his NFL-high seventh pass of the year. He finished with two catches for 9 yards.

— In the second quarter, the Raiders completed their first 99-yard drive since Oct. 2, 2011, against the New England Patriots. Wide receiver Johnny Holton capped it with his first career touchdown, a 64-yard deep pass from quarterback Derek Carr.

— A streak ended on the play before Holton’s score. Running back Jalen Richard caught a 20-yard pass on third-and-6. The Raiders previously failed to convert 16 straight third-down attempts dating back to Week 2.

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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.