Injury Report: Smith Says ‘No. 21 Is Ready' to Play; Will Raiders Agree?

ALAMEDA – Raiders cornerback is considered questionable to play Sunday night’s home game against Denver, per the team’s official injury report.

Smith wants to play this primetime game pretty bad. The secondary certainly needs him against the likes of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but a left shoulder injured early in Week 8’s overtime victory over Tampa Bay called his availability into question.

Smith was able to practice in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday using a supportive harness and believes he’s ready to go against Denver.

“I’m ready,” Smith said. “That’s all anybody needs to know. No. 21 is ready.”

Whether Raiders coaches and trainers agree is another matter. They’ll make the final determination before Sunday night’s game.

Smith said his practice week went well, and that the injury wasn’t as bad as it played on TV, when his arm seemed to jam back out of its socket on the second defensive play against the Buccaneers. Smith didn’t return in that game.

“It probably looked worse than what it really was,” Smith said. “I’m good. I’ve been in this game a long time. A little shoulder (issue) ain’t going to hurt nobody.”

The Raiders need all hands on deck against quality Broncos receivers, but Smith has confidence that his group can get the job done.

“We want to disrupt the timing of routes,” Smith said. “If you can get a hand on them, that’s going to help out. As good as they are, it’s not really about them. We feel that we have a great game plan in place. We just have to give those guys up front time to rush the quarterback. If we play our technique and stay on top, we’re going to all right.”

NOTES

-- The Raiders ruled defensive tackle Stacy McGee out of a second straight game with an ankle injury.

-- Receiver Amari Cooper was limited in each practice this week with a back strain and is formally questionable, but is expected to play.

-- Offensive linemen Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele were also questionable are expected to play.

-- Austin Howard should make a fourth straight start at right tackle versus Denver.

Broncos Status Report
Out

CB Aqib Talib (back)
Questionable
C Matt Paradis (hip), CB Kayvon Webster (hamstring), ILB Brandon Marshall (hamstring)

NOTE: Denver’s CB Chris Harris Jr. (not injury related), S Darian Stewart (not injury related), S T.J. Ward (not injury related), OLB Shaq Barrett (shoulder), RB Devontae Booker (shoulder), FB Andy Janovich (hand), QB Trevor Siemian (shoulder), OLB DeMarcus Ware (forearm) and NT Sylvester Williams (ankle) did not receive an injury designation, meaning they will play.

Raiders Status Report
Out

DL Stacy McGee (knee)
Questionable
RB Taiwan Jones (knee), OT Menelik Watson (calf), LG Kelechi Osemele (knee), C Rodney Hudson (knee), RB Taiwan Jones (knee), FB Jamize Olawale (ankle), CB Sean Smith (shoulder), RT Vadal Alexander (ankle)

NOTE: Oakland LT Donald Penn (not injury related) did not receive an injury designation, meaning they will play.

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