Raiders running back Rod Smith activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Coronavirus cases are dwindling in the NFL and the Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams seeing progress.

The Raiders activated running back Rod Smith from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday morning and he participated in practice, which was the first padded practice of training camp for all players. Smith and standout defensive end Maxx Crosby went on the list Aug. 6 — Crosby was activated last Friday.

Players are put on the reserve/COVID-19 list if they either test positive or if they are exposed to the coronavirus. Crosby did test positive, but there was no word on whether Smith did or was merely exposed.

The Raiders now have no players on the list. Running back Devontae Booker spent five days on the list earlier this month. Only 15 players in the NFL are currently on this list, which is extremely uplifting news with the start of the season looming in less than four weeks.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden has been diligent about dealing with the coronavirus pandemic throughout training camp and he is still making a priority.

“I don’t want to underestimate the enemy,” he said. “We have a long way to go ... We want to crush it.”