Raiders injury report: Four defensive starters don’t practice on Tuesday

On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden said it was going to be “tough” for his injured players to be ready to play against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.

As the Raiders hit the practice field for the first time during this short week, they were indeed without four starting defensive players.

Safety Johnathan Abram, cornerback Damon Arnette and linebacker Nicholas Morrow all missed practice with concussion/neck issues. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell didn’t practice because a left shoulder injury.

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Ferrell departed the Raiders’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter and Morrow and Abram departed in the fourth quarter, against the Colts. Arnette missed the game as he suffered concussions in both Week 12 and Week 13. Abram, Arnette and Morrow are all in the NFL’s concussion protocol and all missed being cleared before they play.

The fact that all four players missed a practice just two days before the game doesn’t bode well for their chances of playing on Thursday against the Chargers.

New interim Las Vegas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said that the coaching staff has a good idea of who will be available against the Chargers without getting into details. We should know more when the final injury report is released Wednesday.