Although Chandler Jones will miss Sunday’s game due to the events of this week, the Raiders carry a thin injury report into their season opener. Only two players carried injury designations into Friday, but one of them — Brandon Facyson — will be moved off the roster for the time being.
Facyson is dealing with a shin injury, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore notes the veteran cornerback will head to IR. This will sideline Facyson for at least four games while opening a roster spot for Josh Jacobs. For a second straight year, teams have eight IR activations to use over the course of a season.
The Raiders reunited with Facyson this offseason, signing the Gus Bradley favorite to a two-year deal worth $6.5MM. Facyson, who turns 29 today, has only played for Bradley over his first five NFL seasons. He spent the first three years of his career with the Chargers but made his way to the Raiders in 2021, doing so after the team hired Bradley as its DC. The Colts hired Bradley to run their defense in 2022, and a Facyson signing commenced. Facyson’s first tour of duty without Bradley calling the signals will be on hold.
Facyson started nine games with the Raiders in 2021. He Joined Marcus Peters, David Long and Duke Shelley as Raiders UFA corner pickups this offseason. But the former UDFA did not win a starting job out of training camp. Fourth-round rookie Jakorian Bennett is set to start alongside Peters and Hobbs. The Raiders did not keep Shelley, who is now with the Rams. Long remains on Las Vegas’ roster as a backup.
Last season, the Colts used both Facyson and Isaiah Rodgers as boundary defenders opposite Stephon Gilmore. Facyson only made four starts but played on defense throughout the season. Prior to his gambling suspension, Rodgers was in Indianapolis’ plans to stay a starter. But he is now gone (with the Eagles), joining Gilmore and Facyson in exiting. Bradley’s Indy unit features some young options alongside Kenny Moore.
huh