Standard practice for years was for teams in their third preseason game has been to play their starters at least the first half, if not into the third quarter. That’s not what the Raiders plan to do this Friday with the Packers coming to town.
“We’re going to play the starters on offense I believe into the second quarter, not going to play them a whole lot, but they will get some time and hopefully they have some success. Defense will be about the same,” said Gruden after practice Wednesday.
As to who sees the shortest amount of time, you need only look back at who didn’t play at all in the team’s second preseason game against the Rams. In that game, the entire first team offense didn’t dress and most of the defense as well.
The only first team players to suit up last week were Mario Edwards Jr, Tank Carradine (who’s only been first team because of Mack’s absence), and the entire secondary of Rashaan Melvin, Gareon Conley, Reggie Nelson, and Karl Joseph. So, you can figure there’s a good chance that after most of the starters leave the game, early in the second quarter or before, those guys will play a bit longer.
Getting has already said that he won’t play Marshawn Lynch or Doug Martin much. Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson said each of them would get “a couple thuds” before they are pulled. That sounds like two series tops before they are replaced by Jalen Richard and preseason leading rusher, Chris Warren III.
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