Jon Gruden says Gareon Conley could return Monday ‘close to full go’

The Raiders defense showed up to play against the Detroit Lions on Friday night, holding them to only 139 yards passing while amassing four sacks. And it seems as though the Raiders could be getting even stronger on the defensive side of the ball sooner than later, according to our own Fearless Leader Levi Damien:

Conley was initially hurt on the very first day of training camp in what was described by coaches as a situation where Conley made a great play on the ball and landed hard. Conley suffered a hip strain and has been out ever since. The injury was not considered serious at any point, and Conley was also seen in uniform on the Oakland Coliseum field during pre-game warmups.

He did not see any action in the game, but if all goes well he should be seeing action later in the preseason. A full week of practice could have him well on the way to play against the Rams next weekend.

With Rashaan Melvin as an established starting-caliber player and Nick Nelson showing tonight he may have been a steal in the fourth round, Conley’s presence could give the Raiders one of the better cornerback groups in the league. Let’s just hope that once he comes back, he stays back.