Josh Jacobs Expected to Play for Raiders

When the Oakland Raiders selected Alabama running back Josh Jacobs in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, few would have expected he would become the backbone of their offense this quickly.

The Raiders looked lost last week without Jacobs in the backfield. Luckily for Jon Gruden and company, Jacobs appears to be more or less healed from his shoulder injury and plans to play today against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Obviously, this is good news for the team.

#Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (shoulder) was clear earlier in the week on Twitter that he plans to play today despite a broken shoulder plate, and that is the case. He’s good to go. Meanwhile, LT Trent Brown (pectoral) is a game-time decision.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2019

Jacobs already has 1,061 yards rushing on the season, with seven touchdowns to go along with those gaudy numbers. Oakland has yet to lose in games that Jacobs has scored a touchdown.

As the Raiders get ready to take on a Jaguars defense that ranks 31st in the league at stopping the run, ahead of only lowly Cincinnati, Jacobs could be in for one of his biggest games of the season.

Progress! Josh Jacobs "looked great" during Raiders limited practice today (via @BairNBCS) https://t.co/KkzlHzJkEk pic.twitter.com/KZf3xxtxwv
— Raiders on NBCS (@NBCSRaiders) December 13, 2019

The Raiders face an uncertain future as they move to Las Vegas, but they appear to have a franchise cornerstone in the backfield with Jacobs. His health should be of paramount importance as the season winds down.