Chimdi Chekwa to start for Raiders with Mike Jenkins injured

It's been a long time coming for Chimdi Chekwa to be getting what could be his second NFL start. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 draft out of Ohio State. In his first two seasons, he appeared in just seven games with his lone start coming in his rookie season.

He went down with a hamstring injury in his rookie season in his only start against the Patriots in week four and was out for the rest of the year. Last year he didn't make the team out of camp and spent most of the season on the practice squad before being called up for the final three games of the season.

This season, he made the team out of camp and has been a reserve corner and special teamer all season long. Now he looks to make his first start in a good long while.

It will be quite the trial by fire for Chekwa if he starts. He will be starting against Peyton Manning and the number one offense in the NFL - statistically the best ever. In his three seasons in Oakland, he's never faced Peyton Manning.

"It's gonna be a challenge, obviously," said Chekwa. "I mean, he's a great quarterback who knows how to put the ball where it needs to be, so as a defensive back you gotta have good technique, in position to try to make a play on the ball."

"He's gonna find the weakness in the defense and we just have to make sure we execute the call, execute the defense and attack the football."

Chekwa has played in 14 games this season, mostly on special teams. He saw his first extensive action last week when the Raiders faced the Chargers. It was an up and down day for Chekwa.

"Me personally, I think I did ok. Overall we lost so I could've made some more plays myself, as a team we could have made some more plays but I think I did fine."

"I think anytime you get a chance to get better it helps you prepare for whatever is to come. I think I was able to get better last week, get better this week during practice so I think I'll be more prepared for this game."

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