David Amerson clears concussion protocol, will start Raiders season opener

With all the injury news in the Raiders’ secondary, there is a break in the clouds. The Raiders’ top cornerback, David Amerson, said today that he has cleared the concussion protocol and is set to start the season opener in Tennessee Sunday.

Amerson suffered the concussion in the second quarter of the team’s third preseason game in Dallas. He had passed the first stage of the protocol last week which allowed him to participate in stretching, but nothing more.

Rookie top pick Gareon Conley returned last week after missing all of training camp with a shin injury he suffered in June minicamp. He is expected to be available for the season opener, but expecting him to be ready for full time duty this soon is ambitious.

Second round pick safety Obi Melifonwu suffered a knee injury in the same third preseason game in which Amerson was injured. He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, prompting the team to sign free agent safety Erik Harris to replace him on the roster.

Fellow starter Sean Smith has been healthy, he just hasn’t played well. Amerson has been the team’s best looking cornerback coming into this season, so his return is crucial.