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HENDERSON, Nevada – Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther lamented his defense was decimated with so many players on the reserve / COVID-19 roster and self-isolating this week, ahead of the game. Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I don’t know how we can beat these guys with full roster in training, let alone three-quarters of your roster not here all week,” Guenther said Thursday in his weekly video call to the media.
“What don’t they have? We play at the world championships. What don’t they have? They have a great quarterback, great receivers, great tight ends , the line is physical. And they pull off a bye, so it’s a tough job. “
Ten of the 11 Raider players currently on the COVID-19 roster are defensive players: linebacker Cory Littleton; defense ends Clelin Ferrell, Arden Key, Kendal Vickers and David Irving; defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Johnathan Hankins; security Johnathan Abram; defensive back Lamarcus Joyner; and cornerback Isaiah Johnson. Offensive tackle Trent Brown is also on the list.
While only Littleton and Ferrell have tested positive for the coronavirus, the other defensive players have been considered high-risk close contacts who should be quarantined for five days from the last contact. If they test negative throughout the week, they will be eligible to play Sunday night.
The Raiders offensive line endured a similar waiting game the week before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 25, left tackle Kolton Miller, left guard Denzelle Good, center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson not being cleared before the match. day.
“Well, it’s a little different,” Guenther said. “The offense had a group of positions that was sort of decimated for the week. We have guys at all three levels of our defense that aren’t there and training and in the meetings where you can watch them in. eyes. Or you can take him through things on the training ground, little tweaks or whatever this team does. “
As such, quarantined players participate in video meetings, while missing out on live training snaps.
When asked if he felt like Will Smith in the final empty house scene of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” linebacker Nicholas Morrow nodded and smiled.
“We played them earlier in the season and had some success,” Morrow said of the Raiders’ 40-32 win on Oct. 11 at Arrowhead Stadium. “But when you play a division team, every time you play against them it’s a different team, right? They have new players, like [running back] Le’Veon Bell. They have new offensive linemen. So, you have to adjust your game plan and find your success that way. “
Guenther said: “I know one thing, we will be arriving at 5:20 am [Pacific time] and we’re going to give 100 percent, because that’s what we do. We’re going to get these guys ready to play. Anyone who is there at 5:20 a.m. will be good to go. “
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