SARASOTA, Fla. – The Raiders pass rush has improved in recent weeks, though head coach Jack Del Rio believes a stronger push is required on the interior.
That would be harder with Stacy McGee out. The defensive tackle missed Wednesday’s practice at the IMG Academy, and it seems unlikely, though his status remains uncertain, that he’ll be able to play Sunday against Tampa Bay.
McGee has shown improvement as a pass rusher, with 2.5 sacks in this early season. He injured his knee early in Sunday’s victory over Jacksonville and did not return, which hurt the Raiders interior rotation.
Head coach Jack Del Rio did not update McGee’s status when asked earlier this week.
The Raiders were only missing two players during Wednesday’s work. McGee was out, as was running back Taiwan Jones. He watched practice from the sidelines due to a knee injury that has limited him in recent weeks and kept him out of the Jacksonville game.
The offensive line is getting healthier by the day, with Menelik Watson inching closer to a return. He was limited in Wednesday’s work, as he was during the previous practice week. He did not play against the Jaguars, and hasn’t since straining his groin in Week 3 against Tennessee.
Brynden Trawick, Andre Holmes and Vadal Alexander were also limited.
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Raiders participation report
Did not practice: RB Taiwan Jones (knee), DT Stacy McGee (knee)
Limited participation: Vadal Alexander (ankle), S Brynden Trawick (shoulder) OT Menelik Watson (calf), WR Andre Holmes (hip)
Buccaneers participation report
Did not practice: RB Doug Martin (hamstring)
Limited participation: DE Robert Ayers (ankle), C Joe Hawley (ankle), DT Clinton McDonald (hamstring)
