Joseph Set to Return at Safety for Raiders vs. Texans

Rookie isn't 100 percent, but his sure tackling and ability to cover tight ends could help Raiders defense in playoff game at Houston Saturday

In Saturday’s playoff game against the Houston Texans, the focus will be on a player the Raiders have lost.

With quarterback and MVP candidate Derek Carr out with a broken leg, rookie Connor Cook will be in the starting lineup after he was pressed into service last week when Matt McGloin was knocked from the game. Carr’s absence will be a huge factor. With him, the Raiders were one of the top two teams in the AFC. Without him, they look vulnerable to a first-round knockout.

Yet there will at least be some good news on defense, with a couple of players set to return to the lineup: strong safety Karl Joseph and defensive tackle Stacy McGee.

The rookie Joseph has missed the last four games with a toe injury. McGee has missed the past five with a groin injury.

Against the Texans, Joseph’s return could be significant. He’s been a strong presence in run support and done a good job in pass coverage, especially against tight ends. Though Joseph barely played the first two games of the season, missed the last four and has just nine starts, he ranks fifth on the team by being in on 60 tackles, has six passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Pro Football Focus, a website that focuses on NFL analysis, noted this season that one of Joseph’s strengths is his sure tackling. In his first 50 attempts, he missed just two tackles.

Joseph was participating fully in practice this week and says he’s “ready to go” for Saturday. Nate Allen, who replaced him in the lineup, will be out after suffering a concusion in the regular-season finale vs. Denver.

“We’re going to be down a safety, so I’ve got to go,” Joseph told reporters this week. “It’s win or go home, so even though I’m still not 100 (percent), I definitely want to go. I don’t want to wait too long, or it’ll be the offseason.”

In November, the Raiders beat the Texans 27-20, and Joseph played a big role with 10 total tackles. Houston tight end Ryan Griffin had just three catches in that game for 32 yards.

Saturday’s game in Houston is set to kick off at 1:35 p.m. in the Bay Area.

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