The Oakland Raiders find themselves 1-1 to start the season after a strong performance against the Denver Broncos and then a lackluster one against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Although the team has lots to work on, they will be getting some immediate help in Week 3 with the return of left guard Richie Incognito.
Incognito spent the last two weeks away from the team due to a two-game suspension for violating NFL conduct policy. To make room for Incognito, the Raiders released offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper.
After a checkered history in the NFL, Incognito is looking forward focusing on the path ahead of him, via Scott Blair of NBC Sports Bay Area:
“It’s a big relief. I can just attack going forward,” Incognito said. “The suspension is behind me. All the negative stuff is behind me. My eyes are forward, and I’m staying positive. I’m relishing the opportunity, which I think is big for me. I’m enjoying every day in here, because you don’t know how many more you’ll have. I want to play well for Coach Gruden and Mike Mayock, for Coach Cable and the offensive line after all the hard work we’ve put in. I want to charge forward and make it right.”
The Raiders upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings will be Incognito’s first NFL game since 2017. After three Pro-Bowl seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Incognito found himself out of football in 2018.
Deciding to make a comeback earlier this year, Incognito was signed by the Raiders in early May. Due to his checkered past, head coach Jon Gruden called his one-year contract a ‘prove it’ deal.
Incognito served as a leader on the Raiders offensive line during training camp. Although he acknowledged missing some time makes things more difficult, he is still working on meshing with the team:
“We’re just trying to get it going,” Incognito said. “I’ve been gone for two weeks and we’re plugging and playing, and it’s good to get back into it. I’m learning [center Rodney Hudson’s] silent count, and there are a lot of different things we’re working on to get all five of us coming together as one to play well.”
Hopefully, Incognito will mesh quickly and help bring toughness and protection to the Raiders offensive line. Quarterback Derek Carr was sacked three times by the Chiefs defense and was sacked the third-most times across the NFL last year, so the need for pass protection is clear.
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