ALAMEDA – Josh Jacobs searching his memory bank and couldn't think of a time where he had gotten hurt. He has injured specific areas and been generally banged up, but he blames himself for those ailments over anyone else.
That was the case Sunday against Green Bay, when he took his first run to the left and into the second level, where he put high-priced Packers safety Adrian Amos on his back.
Amos left the exchange with some wounded pride, and Jacobs retreated with a legitimate shoulder injury but zero regrets.
"I thought it was just a stinger," Jacobs said Thursday. "I would definitely go do it again. It was just a funky way I hit him. I literally hit him with nothing but my shoulder. I hit him without much stability behind it. I just did it to myself, honestly."
Jacobs churned out a 1-yard gain and a 42-yard scamper before removing himself. He missed some snaps, but never a whole series. He went back to the locker room, took a pain killing shot and returned to close out a career-high 124 yards on 21 carries.
He said after the 42-24 loss at Lambeau Field that the shoulder wouldn't cause him to miss time. That seems both true and false.
The University of Alabama product has missed Wednesday and Thursday practices with his shoulder issue and could well skip another workout Friday. Not sure on that yet, but it doesn't matter to Jacobs.
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He was asked if it was possible for him to play without practicing all week.
Jacobs flashed a thousand-kilowatt smile and gave a one-word reply.
"Yup."
Jacobs is determined to play through this injury on Sunday against Houston, just as he did against the Packers. If trainers allow it, he's going to play with the same passion and enthusiasm he brings in full health. And, if required, he'll put a shoulder right into an oncoming safety.
"I'm going to play my game," Jacobs said. "You never play thinking or worrying about injuries. I just want to play fast, and whatever happens, happens."
The Raiders love that attitude, but they won't risk losing him for a long stretch over one game. He's too valuable to their team to put an unnecessary risk. It was clear after speaking with Jacobs on Thursday that he would write his name in the starting lineup right now, using permanent ink.
This isn't done still trying to prove he's the three-down he wasn't at Alabama. Even as he plays hard through injury, that's a question that won't get answered until This just a guy playing well who really enjoys his job and helping this team win.
"I guess we'll have to see [how I hold up] after the season, with how my body feels," Jacobs said. "I feel alright right now. I'm good."
Here's the full Raiders practice report after Thursday's session:
Raiders practice report
THURSDAY
Did not practice
RB Josh Jacobs (shoulder)
Limited practice
DE Arden Key (knee)
RB Jalen Richard (ankle)
WR Tyrell Williams (foot)
RT Trent Brown (calf)
C Rodney Hudson (ankle)
RG Gabe Jackson (knee)
Full practice
WR Dwayne Harris (ankle)
