If the Las Vegas Raiders have any hopes of staying in the playoff mix this season, they have to beat the Denver Broncos on Thursday. The Broncos are atop the AFC West with a 7-2 record, and they’re playing at home.
This will be a very difficult task for the Raiders. Luckily, they are getting some reinforcements. The team was mostly quiet in free agency before the season, but defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. was one of the key additions.
Unfortunately, he suffered a fractured fibula before the season, which has led to him missing the team’s first eight games. The Raiders were high on his performance in training camp, and the plan was for him to have a key role on the defense.
He’s been eager to get back on the field and finally got some good news. Head coach Pete Carroll announced on Wednesday that Johnson will make his Raiders debut against the Broncos in Week 10.
It remains to be seen how big a role he’ll have. It’s likely that the Raiders will try to bring him along slowly. Either way, the team will be happy to have him back, as the defense has been struggling in recent weeks.
Will Johnson Play CB or Safety?
In his career, Johnson has played at both cornerback and safety. The Raiders could use some help at both positions, but it seems like he’ll primarily be a safety for the team. That’s the position they have him listed at.
What that allows is for the Raiders to have more flexibility with how they use Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Johnson is a former second-round pick who has had a hard time sticking with a team. If he can make an impact in Las Vegas, he’ll have a chance to get another contract in the offseason.
Bo Nix Talks Raiders Rivalry
The Raiders are 0-2 in AFC West games this season, and things aren’t getting any easier. The Broncos are a bit up and down, but they’ve been finding ways to win. That’s the opposite of what the Raiders have been doing.
The Raiders dominated the rivalry for several years, but they went 0-2 against Denver last season. Things won’t be easy in Week 10, as the Raiders are coming off a short week and have to travel to Denver.
Quarterback Bo Nix is still new to the rivalry, but he knows how much playing the Raiders means to the Broncos and their fan base.
“These are the ones that have the most weight to them,” Nix said, via Raiders.com. “These are the ones that you have to go in there and win to set yourself up for the playoffs. As a team, these are the most important for us. Then obviously, this organization, city and fans have been playing these teams for a long time. A lot of rivalries. These are the fun ones. It’s like playing a conference game in college. These are the ones you look forward to. … It will be a fun Thursday Night Football environment.”
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