ALAMEDA – Donald Penn was designated to return off injured reserve a few weeks back. That doesn't mean he will.
He has been practicing since Dec. 5, meaning his three-week window closes before long. The Raiders have to make a decision on whether to add him to the 53-man roster or revert him back to injured reserve.
Option B doesn't happen much. NFL teams can designate just two players to return to practice, so they make darn sure their choices can help the team on game day.
The Raiders didn't have another option – Marshawn Lynch wasn't going to be healthy enough to return after suffering a groin injury in Week 6 – and gave Penn a chance to work again this season.
While an official decision hasn't arrived, head coach Jon Gruden foreshadowed Penn's end result for the 2018 season.
"We'll make that decision here in the next few days, but it doesn't look like he will play this year," Gruden said. "It doesn't look like he will be back."
Penn continues to practice, as he did Wednesday, despite such pessimism. He wants to return, but it may ultimately be better to give rookie tackles Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker more seasoning in games that ultimately don't mean much.
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It also make some financial sense. If Penn returns an suffers a serious injury that would keep him out an extended stretch, they'd be on the hook for Penn's entire 2019 season salary. The veteran offensive tackle could well be back when healthy, but keep him away from injury risk gives the Raiders flexibility in regards to Penn. He is, however, owed $1.75 million guaranteed as part of a 2019 payout that could reach $7.25 million.
Here's the full participation for the Raiders and Broncos heading into Monday's AFC West rivalry clash:
Raiders practice report
THURSDAY
Did not practice
DT Maurice Hurst (ankle)
Cb Daryl Worley (shoulder)
Limited practice
CB Gareon Conley (concussion)
C Rodney Hudson (ankle/knee)
S Karl Joseph (neck)
FB Keith Smith (calf)
TE Lee Smith (back)
LB Kyle Wilber (hamstring)
Full practice
LG Kelechi Osemele (toe)
WR Jordy Nelson (foot)
Broncos practice report
THURSDAY
Did not practice
TE Matt LaCosse (ankle)
CB Brandon Langley (concussion)
Limited practice
OLB Sahq Barrett (hip)
ILB Brandon Marshall (knee)
WR Courtland Sutton (quadriceps)
CB Isaac Yaidom (shoulder)
