Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead is a rare three-down defensive player. He rarely, if ever, leaves the field while everyone else rotates around him.
Another mainstay has joined an exclusive crew. Karl Joseph has become a regular presence on this Raiders defense, and a darn good one at that.
He played all 80 defensive snaps Sunday in a 30-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, after being involved in every play the week before.
His presence has paid off. Joseph had a team-high eight tackles, including a sack, in Cincinnati. He didn't allow a reception in two targets.
Joseph isn't being showcased. The Raiders are evaluating whether the 2016 first-round pick can be part of the 2019 squad as the every-down regular he is now.
Gareon Conley's another guy looking for a steady spot. He gave up three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown on four targets over 37 snaps before getting concussed.
Emergency starting guards Chaz Green and Denzelle Good played all 59 offensive snaps and left and right guard, respectively.
Sports
Green struggled against elite defensive tackle Geno Atkins, giving up three sacks and another quarterback hurry. Good allowed no sacks, but gave up five hurries. The offensive line gave up five sacks and 19 pressures in sum.
Offense
Total offensive snaps: 59
Quarterback – Derek Carr 59
Running back – Jalen Richard 30, Doug Martin 27, Keith Smith 7, DeAndre Washington 2
Wide receiver – Jordy Nelson 57, Marcell Ateman 49, Seth Roberts 40, Dwayne Harris 5
Tight end – Jared Cook 52, Darren Waller 9, Derek Carrier 8, Lee Smith 7
Offensive line – Rodney Hudson 59, Brandon Parker 59, Chaz Green 59, Denzelle Good 59, Kolton Miller 59, Clinton McDonald 1, David Sharpe 1
Defense
Total defensive snaps: 80
Defensive line – Frostee Rucker 57, PJ Hall 49, Johnathan Hankins 43, Arden Key 42, Clinton McDonald 40Maurice Hurst 38, Justin Ellis 29, Damontre Moore 23
Linebacker – Tahir Whitehead 80, Nick Morrow 48, Marquel Lee 34, Jason Cabinda 34, Emmanuel Lamur 4
Defensive back – Karl Joseph 80, Marcus Gilchrist 73, Daryl Worley 64, Rashaan Melvin 53, Gareon Conley 36, Erik Harris 33, Nick Nelson 20
Special teams
Lee 29, Harris 29, Carrier 27, Morrow 22, Harris 23, K. Smith 21, N. Nelson 18, L. Smith 17, Waller 13, Benwikere 13, Washington 12, Lamur 11, Trent Sieg 10, Johnny Townsend 10, Daniel Carlson 9, Worley 9, Moore, 9, Gilchrist 7, Cabinda 7, McDonald 6, Whitehead 6, Rucker 6, Hankins 6, Key 6, Joseph 5, Melvin 5, Sharpe 4, Miller 4, Parker 4, Green 4, Good 4, Denver Kirkland 4 Conley 2, Richard 1
