Raiders win close game but deal with significant injuries

The Las Vegas Raiders lost Las Vegas native and linebacker, Javin White, Saturday, August 21 in their, 17-16, preseason win over the Los Angeles Rams from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

White and rookie pass rusher, Malcolm Koonce, were both injured in the second half of the game on the same play and they both have apparent knee injuries.

White was helped off the field by teammates and then was later carted off the sideline after a moment in the medical tent.

Earlier in the week, the team lost Nicholas Morrow in a scrimmage against Los Angeles.

“Looks like we are out a couple linebackers,” head coach Jon Gruden said. “We are lit at linebacker right, so it is a concern.”

Koonce was able to find the strength to limp off the field to the sideline but was unable to push through the apparent injury.

Later, he was evaluated by the trainers, only to return to the game and make a key defensive stop.

“I just like the way he came back into the game, he showed great energy out of the stack on a chase down screen,” Gruden said. “[Koonce] is a working progress but he is getting better and better.

“I did like the way [Koonce] finished and his effort was outstanding when we needed it the most.”

Earlier in the week, the Raiders began canvassing the league for another linebacker or pass rusher to fill the holes due to injuries. They have even attempted to trade back for former Raider and current Chicago Bear, Khalil Mack.

As it currently stands, no significant progress has been made.

Quarterback Nathan Peterman finished with 172 yards on 16-of-24 with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Peterman is still expected to be the third quarterback option behind starter Derek Carr and backup Marcus Mariota.

The game came down to the final 30 seconds with the Rams attempting a two-point conversion to win the game. The Raiders’ defensive pressure forced an overthrown pass by Rams’ quarterback, Bryce Perkins.

Ending the game with the Raiders taking a knee to let the clock run and finish the game.

“That was an exciting game, wasn’t it?” Gruden said. “Really proud of our players [...] We’ve had great camaraderie. A lot of people got to compete, [it’ll be a] great film for us to look at.”

The Raiders will continue to evaluate players in order to see who would make the final 53 man roster and find a trade that fills their concerns, for their roster before the season begins Monday, Sept. 13 at home against Baltimore.