Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst hasn't practiced all week with an ankle injury that has bothered him a while now. It has limited his preparation and availability on game day, though he tough it out and played last week against Cincinnati.
While the rookie was formally considered questionable on Friday on the team's official injury report, head coach Jon Gruden said Hurst is still battling the ailment.
"His ankle ," Gruden said, "is not getting much better."
He still has a chance to play. So do starting cornerbacks Daryl Worley (shoulder) and Gareon Conley (concussion). Both guys were deemed questionable. Conley was limited all week but remains in the concussion protocol. Worley missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was limited on Friday.
Everyone else was made available to play.
That includes left guard Kelechi Osemele (toe), set to return from a two-game absence. He was a full participant all week. His return would upgrade the left guard spot and help rookie left tackle Kolton Miller on the outside.
"It would be nice for him," Gruden said. "He has had a lot of different partners there this year, and Osemele is certainly a guy he is comfortable and experienced working with, so that will help."
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While Hurst will be missed if he can't go against Denver, Gruden believes the Michigan product has made great strides during his rookie season.
"He's grown leaps and bounds," Gruden said. "We knew we drafted a good player when we took him, and he has not disappointed. He was a little dinged up last week coming off the last ball game. He's done a good job in both the run and the pass. He's been able to push the pocket some on third down, so he's going to be a great player for us."
INJURY REPORT
RAIDERS
Questionable
DT Maurice Hurst (ankle)
CB Gareon Conley (concussion)
CB Daryl Worley (shoulder)
BENGALS
Out
CB Brendan Langley (concussion)
Questionable
TE Matt LaCosse (ankle)
OLB Shane Ray (illness)
