Raiders rookie safety Shalom Luani ‘champing at the bit’, expected to replace injured Karl Joseph vs Bills

Recently the outcries for standout 7th round rookie safety Shalom Luani to get some playing time have gotten louder. Those demands look like they will be met this Sunday.

Karl Joseph is doubtful to play after missing all week with a groin injury. And the ‘next man up’ is Luani.

“He’s got great instincts,” Jack Del Rio said Friday. “He’s been chomping at the bit for an opportunity if Karl doesn’t end up being able to go, he’s excited to get his chance.”

“We got guys that are prepared and ready to go. Obviously you’d like to have your starter there, that’s why he’s the starter. We’re a next man up outfit. That’s how we’ll proceed with it. Shalom obviously is a young man that we’re excited about. He’s looking forward to getting a little more action than he’s had.”

Luani showed up well throughout the offseason, training camp, and preseason. But since the season started he’s been relegated to special teams work, seeing a grand total of 5 defensive snaps this season.

He tied for fourth on the team this preseason with 12 combined tackles and was tied for second with 10 solo tackles. He was one of two Raiders players with an interception in the preseason and was second on the team with 2 passes defended.