Raiders Could Get A Break Against Jets With Two Defensive Linemen Out

The Las Vegas Raiders have been having trouble protecting quarterback Kirk Cousins, but they could get a break against the New York Jets on Sunday with the news that defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat has been placed on injured reserve, according to a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk and multiple other outlets. 

Sweat suffered a knee injury in the Jets’ loss to the Miami Dolphins  last week, and he’s been a starter in six of the team’s first seven games, posting 17 tackles and two tackles for loss. 

The news also follows the running reports about edge rusher David Bailey, who hasn’t officially been ruled out, but Alper’s note that the Jets have elevated offensive lineman Brian Banks and linebacker Quinton Bell from the practice squad makes it unlikely that Bailey will play as well. 

The Jets filled Sweat’s roster spot by signing defensive tackle Payton Page off of their practice squad, per Alper. He appeared in four games for the Jets last season. 

The Raiders have issues of their own up front, however, with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson has been listed as questionable because of a back injury. Jackson-Powers was demoted a couple of weeks ago, but this is an offensive lineman that can ill-afford to lose anyone given the struggles the Raiders have up front. They're healthy on the defensive line, but the position group has been a sieve lately. 

The Jets’ injury issues could also help the Raiders with their inert running game, which is currently one of the worst in the NFL. The Raiders are currently 3-4, and this game could be the pivot point in their season depending on how they play. 

A win against New York would put Las Vegas back on the edge of being in the playoff hunt, although coach Klint Kubiak thinks they’re already there. The Raiders have currently lost four straight, including a couple of bad blowouts, and another one could hasten the full arrival of rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, even though Cousins has been playing well and is currently still tied for the league lead in touchdown passes. 

The Jets come in at 2-5, and they’re going nowhere in the AFC East. Their biggest question at the moment is whether coach Aaron Glenn will survive the season, as their loss to Miami featured some sideline chaos as receiver Garrett Wilson went off on passing game coordinator Seth Ryan.