Raiders report: Cornerback nears return from injured reserve
Nate Hobbs is eligible to come off injured reserve and play Sunday at Denver, and the Raiders’ second-year cornerback did not rule out the possibility despite still wearing a cast on his broken left hand.
“We shall see on Sunday,” he said with a coy smile after Wednesday’s practice.
But coach Josh McDaniels wasn’t as optimistic, seemingly suggesting a Week 12 return in Seattle is more likely.
“I don’t know that it would be this week, but he’s close,” McDaniels said. “Nate is doing every single thing possible to get back on the field with his teammates as soon as he can.”
Hobbs was injured late in a loss at Kansas City and has missed the past four games. It’s the first time in his career that he has been hurt and missed games.
“It’s been too long definitely for me, but I’ve been able to see things from a different perspective,” he said. “Hopefully soon I’ll be getting the cast off and be able to work out with the team and get acclimated.
“This time has been different for me. I get to see how offenses really think, how they want to attack us and things like that you can’t see from the field.”
Injury report
Running back Brandon Bolden and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin didn’t practice Wednesday because of personal reasons, and running back Ameer Abdullah missed the indoor practice because of illness.
Linebacker Denzel Perryman, who missed Sunday’s game, remained limited by hip and rib injuries.
Wide receiver Davante Adams (abdomen), linebacker Luke Masterson (ribs), offensive tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder, abdomen) and cornerback Sam Webb (knee) were limited participants.
Quarterback Derek Carr practiced in full despite a lingering back issue.
Staying ready
Defensive tackle Kyle Peko has been released by the Raiders twice and signed three times, but he remained ready to contribute through all the uncertainty.
He proved that Sunday when he was activated from the practice squad and played 28 defensive snaps in his season debut, receiving the third-highest grade of any Raiders player from Pro Football Focus and the best among defenders.
“I prepare for game time whether I’m on the active roster or practice squad,” he said, “and I felt like I went out and put my best foot forward and did what I could do to help the team.”
McDaniels on ‘vote of confidence’
McDaniels said he appreciated owner Mark Davis’ support Monday with the Raiders 2-7 in his first season as coach.
“I think that we knew when we came here that this is a longer-term view of how do we get this thing to repeat,” McDaniels said. “… The immediate results aren’t what everybody is hoping for, but we’re also trying to keep an eye on a lot of things that would go into how do you sustain it once you get it.
“He’s continued to try to give us anything we need or ask for to try to help us be successful, and I appreciate his long-term view on it.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.