Malcolm Smith was active during last week’s victory over San Diego and kept under glass broken in case of emergency only.
Newcomer Perry Riley filled in admirably then, allowing Smith’s ailing quadriceps more time to rest. Riley was called upon again Sunday against Kansas City for what seemed like a similar role.
Then, in the middle of a game going awry, Smith entered the fray. Riley sat for a spell, though he filled in briefly while Cory James dealt with an ailment.
Head coach Jack Del Rio was asked about the personnel switch after a 26-10 loss to Kansas City, and suggested the Raiders were hoping Smith could’ve given the interior defense a jolt.
“The design was to play good defense today and he’s a part of that,” Del Rio said. “We just didn’t get that done.”
Smith had four tackles, including one for a loss, in 39 defensive snaps. Riley had three tackles in 31 plays. James had seven tackles in 53 snaps.
Raiders tight end Clive Walford returned to action after a game missed and was active against Kansas City. He played 29 offensive snaps and had two receptions for 25 yards on as many targets.
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The Raiders certainly miss Lee Smith’s blocking prowess and versatility in the run game. Offensive lineman Denver Kirkland has been used as an extra blocker – he played 16 snaps in Lee Smith’s spot versus Kansas City -- but he’s obviously no threat to catch a playaction pass.
DeAndre Washington saw the majority of snaps during Latavius Murray’s second game missed with a toe injury. He was in 32 snaps, Jalen Richard got 14 and Jamize Olawale had 11 despite never getting a carry.
Let’s take a look at the entire Raiders snap count:
OFFENSE
55 – OL Gabe Jackson, OL Donald Penn, OL Kelechi Osemele, QB Derek Carr, WR Amari Cooper, OL Rodney Hudson, OL Austin Howard
48 – WR Seth Roberts
45 – WR Michael Crabtree
32 – RB DeAndre Washington
29 – TE Clive Walford
16 – OL Denver Kirkland
14 – RB Jalen Richard
12 – WR Andre Holmes
11 – FB Jamize Olawale, TE Mychal Rivera
1 – RB Taiwan Jones, WR Johnny Holton
DEFENSE
64 – S Reggie Nelson
63 – CB Sean Smith, CB David Amerson
62 – S Karl Joseph
56 – DE Khalil Mack
54 – LB Bruce Irvin
53 – LB Cory James
39 – LB Malcolm Smith
38 – DL Jihad Ward
34 – DL Denico Autry
33 – DL Stacy McGee, DL Dan Williams
31 – LB Perry Riley
25 – DL Justin Ellis
21 – Darius Latham
17 – CB DJ Hayden
14 – LB Shilique Calhoun
2 – S Keith McGill
1 – LB Daren Bates
SPECIAL TEAMS
20 – Brynden Trawick, Daren Bates
14 – Nate Allen, amize Olawale, Andre Holmes
12 – Taiwan Jones
9 – Jon Feliciano, TJ Carrie, DJ Hayden, Clive Walford
6 – Marquette King, Jon Condo, Darius Latham, Dan Williams, Stacy McGee, Denico Autry, Bruce Irvin, Khalil Mack, Mychal Rivera, Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington
5 – Sebastian Janikowski
4 – Johnny Holton
3 – Jihad Ward, Cory James, Gabe Jackson, Donald Penn, Kelechi Osemele, Denver Kirkland
2 – Karl Joseph
NOTE: Snap counts taken from official NFL game book
