ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) β The Oakland Raiders defense was dealt a big blow back in the preseason when middle linebacker and defensive signal caller Nick Roach suffered a season-ending concussion.
That injury set the tone this season for the Raiders, who have had to piece together their defense on the fly because of a litany of injuries.
The Raiders (2-12) have nine defensive players on season-ending injured reserve, including the team’s top two strong safeties, two linebackers, a starting defensive end and a starting cornerback.
Those absences have played a big role in Oakland’s struggles this season as the team will miss the playoffs for the 12th straight year.
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