Report: Raiders Gabe Jackson to miss two months with MCL injury

The Raiders will now be without both of their starting guard to begin the season. Richie Incognito is suspended the first two games and now we learn that Gabe Jackson will miss the next two months with an MCL injury according to Vic Tafur of the Athletic.

This timetable would have Gabe Jackson missing the first month and not returning until early October. Barring any setbacks, he would figure to return for the Raiders week five game in London against the Bears on October 6.

The team could also consider putting him on IR with designation to return, but if they did that, he would have to be out at least the first 8 weeks of the season. And if he’s on schedule to be healthy after four weeks, they’d miss him for four weeks he could potentially be healthy.

After Jackson came off the field and was carted away, he was replaced by Denver Kirkland. Gruden also mentioned Jonathan Cooper as a potential fill in. The issue there is Cooper is already earmarked to replace Incognito at left guard for the first two games. Backup center Jordan Devey is also an option.

This is big blow to the Raiders offensive line. Their right side of the line was one of the few areas on the team no one had to worry about. Jackson, Rodney Hudson, and Trent Brown would make for one of the best trios in the league. This really complicates things.