OAKLAND – Latavius Murray missed his first game since 2014 on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, leaving the Raiders to look elsewhere for rushing production.
Rookies DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard were ready for a slightly increased workload after taking significant carries during the first four games. At times those two operated a by-committee rushing approach with Murray.
Take one runner out and there’s more for the rest. That included fullback Jamize Olawale, who was active in short yardage situations.
Washington and Richard’s touch totals were equal. Olawale got involved. Here’s how totals broke down:
Washington: 9 carries, 31 rushing yards (2.6 ypc); 5 receptions, 29 receiving yards
Richard: 8 carries, 31 rushing yards (3.9 ypc); 6 receptions, 66 receiving yards
Olawale: 6 carries, 22 rushing yards (3.7 ypc), 1 TD; 1 reception, 2 receiving yards
The snap counts were also close. Washington played 37 snaps, Richard played 23 and Olawale played 22.
“I thought they were solid,” Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “I thought the rotation of those guys, all three of the guys that dressed today and played today, that they shared the work and did a nice job. Gave us what we needed.”
Sports
The running backs weren’t the only Raiders with increased snap counts in a 34-31 victory over San Diego.
Denver Kirkland saw significant action as an extra lineman in rushing situations, and played 27 snaps. He checked in as an eligible receiver and played a blocking tight end spot normally reserved for Lee Smith, on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Newcomer Perry Riley played 51 defensive snaps just days after signing with the Raiders. He started for the injured Malcolm Smith, and lead the team with seven tackles and had a forced fumble.
Let’s take a look at the entire Raiders snap count:
OFFENSE
72 – OL Donald Penn, OL Kelechi Osemele, OL Gabe Jackson, QB Derek Carr, OL Rodney Hudson
65 – WR Amari Cooper
61 – OL Vadal Alexander
53 – WR Michael Crabtree
51 – WR Seth Roberts
47 – TE Mychal Rivera
37 – RB DeAndre Washington
27 – OL Denver Kirkland
23 – RB Jalen Richard
22 – WR Andre Holmes, Jamize Olawale
11 – OL Austin Howard
7 – TE Ryan O’Malley
5 – WR Johnny Holton
1 – OL Jon Feliciano
DEFENSE
51 – LB Cory James, LB Perry Riley, S Reggie Nelson
50 – S Karl Joseph, CB Sean Smith, CB David Amerson
47 – LB Bruce Irvin
46 – Khalil Mack
31 – CB DJ Hayden
28 – DL Dan Williams
24 – DL Denico Autry
23 – DL Stacy McGee
21 – DL Jihad Ward
19 – DL Justin Ellis
9 – LB Shilique Calhoun
8 – DL Darius Latham
1 – LB Daren Bates
1 – Keith McGill
SPECIAL TEAMS
23 – Brynden Trawick, Darren Bates
17 – Keith McGill, Jamize Olawale, Andre Holmes, Shilique Calhoun
16 – Johnny Holton
14 – Sebastian Janikowski, Mychal Rivera
13 – TJ Carrie, Jon Feliciano, Ryan O’Malley
10 – Jon Condo, Marquette King
9 – DeAndre Washington
8 – Antonio Hamilton
7 – DJ Hayden, Karl Joseph, Jihard Ward, Jalen Richard, Gabe Jackson, Kelechi Osemele, Donald Penn
6 – Darius Latham, Stacy McGee, Denico Autry, Dan Williams, Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin
5 – Vadal Alexander
3 – Cory James
2 – Denver Kirkland
1 – Perry Riley
NOTE: Snap counts taken from official NFL game book
