Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce told reporters that he believes running back Josh Jacobs, who missed last Thursday’s 63-21 win over the Los Angeles Chargers with a quadriceps injury, will be ready in time for a Christmas Day battle at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pierce also told reporters that he thinks left tackle Kolton Miller (shoulder) will return after missing the last two games (and four of the past five) due to injury.
It’s been a tough year for Jacobs, who is averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry.
Last season, the ex-Alabama star posted 4.9 YPC en route to leading the league with 2,053 yards from scrimmage.
Still, Jacobs has remained productive with 1,101 total yards and six touchdowns in 13 games this year.
His three best rushing performances have also come after the Raiders made wholesale coaching changes, notably parting ways with head coach Josh McDaniels and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi and replacing them on an interim basis with Pierce and Bo Hardegree.
They include a 98-yard, two-touchdown day against the New York Giants and 226 total rushing yards versus the New York Jets (116) and Chiefs (110).
The 6-8 Raiders still have a very small chance at making the playoffs, but they need to win out and get a lot of help too.
Getting Jacobs back would certainly help, especially against a Chiefs team that’s allowed the third-fewest points in football. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Christmas Day.
