As cut day approaches, let’s take a look at the latest news coming out of the AFC West:
- As Hard Knocks viewers observed, Mike Williams suffered a shoulder injury while diving for a pass in practice. While Williams was said to be out “for a while,” Chargers offensive coordinator Shane Steichen noted recently the fourth-year wideout may well return for Week 1. “Mike’s gotta be ready to play,” Steichen said, via the Orange County Register’s Gilbert Manzano (on Twitter). “I think Mike has got that mindset to be ready to play. We look forward to having him on September 13.” A thin Bolts receiver depth chart — beyond WR1 Keenan Allen — increases the importance of Williams returning.
- Rookie Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette suffered a setback recently. The first-round pick sustained a thumb fracture, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This will require Arnette to wear a soft cast on his injured hand, which he did at one point with the Buckeyes. The Raiders are counting on Arnette to play a key role in their secondary this season.
- One of Mike Williams‘ ex-Chargers receiver teammates will not play this season. The Raiders placed Tyrell Williams on IR this week, ending his second season with the team. Tyrell Williams suffered a torn shoulder labrum for the second time as a pro, and Jon Gruden said an attempt to play through this malady would have required Williams to wear a movement-restricting harness (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur). With a Williams cut saving the Raiders $11MM-plus next year, he looms as a likely 2021 release.
- Although Demar Dotson operated as the Buccaneers’ starting right tackle for the past eight seasons, his Broncos signing does not mean he will stay a first-stringer. The current Denver plan is for Elijah Wilkinson to again fill Ja’Wuan James‘ position, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post notes. Dotson would then play a swing role behind Wilkinson and embattled left tackle Garett Bolles. Whether Wilkinson starts in Week 1 or not, the Broncos will enter a seventh straight year with a different right tackle to open a season.
I wonder why Dotson bothered to sign with Denver if he was just going to be used in a reserve role. Wilkinson would be a better fit as a depth piece given his versatility and inexperience at tackle, but if he’s outperforming Dotson in training camp, I suppose he deserves the starting nod
I agree. Wilkinson played much better at guard anyway. You don’t sign someone like Dotson to be a regular forgotten backup, however, and I doubt that he’ll be a full time starter at LT this late in his career. Dotson is someone who can step in at any time (at least theoretically) and start significant numbers of games, if not the season. I think this is mostly insurance should Wilkinson play poorly at the outset of the season.
Denver should not be worrying about their O-line but if they can’t pass block they will be in Trouble because even if the Broncos can run the Football Putrid Pat Shurmur is known as a Pass Happy Prick!!!!!!! The only time he Runs the Ball is when the Head Coach has a Gun to his head like if he is going to be fired. Like in Minnesota before the Giants stupidly hired him as HC. Then he somehow gets the OC job with the Broncos just STUPID!!!!!!!!!