HENDERSON, Nevada – The Las Vegas Raiders won’t have four defensive starters for their crucial home game Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, a less-than-optimal start for new interim defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (shoulder), defender Nicholas Morrow (concussion), cornerback Damon Arnette (concussion) and safety Johnathan Abram (concussion) will all sit down, Raiders coach Jon Gruden announced Wednesday .
With rookie receiver Henry Ruggs on the reserve list / COVID-19, four of the five Raiders first-round picks in the last two years will not be available for Las Vegas (7-6) as they try to stay alive their playoff hopes against the Chargers (4-9). The fifth round, runner Josh Jacobs, has an injured right ankle.
“We just have to make the boys grow,” Gruden said. “Carl Nassib will return to training [at defensive end]. I’m sure he’ll play well. We look forward to seeing you [safety] Play by Dallin Leavitt. [Defensive back] The back of Daryl Worley; has been a quick study.
“So it’s the mentality of the next man. I know you’ve heard a lot from me and a lot of coaches in this league, but that’s the truth.”
Gruden said the newly signed defensive end, Takk McKinley, would not be high for the Chargers game. Gruden hopes to have him active for the Raiders game against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 26.
Marinelli, who replaced the sacked Paul Guenther, said Tuesday he wanted to see “discipline” from his defense.
“Knowing exactly what we’re doing,” Marinelli said. “… I want to see a lot of energy and a good fight. And a gang that faces. The guys are rushing to the ball, and I think when you see it, they like it. And I just want to see that part, that we you really like this game and you can’t enjoy it, just one or two guys, it has to be a team defense.
“And the defense consists of team: fast, fast and physical. Fast, fast and physical. That’s what I keep preaching and we’ll see.”
In Sunday’s 44-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Raiders defense was only able to muster a QB (no sacks) hit against Philip Rivers, who was dealing with turf feet.
Getting a pass race against Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert and keeping him in his pocket is crucial for the Raiders. Herbert went through 326 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 24 yards against the Raiders in Las Vegas ’31-26 win at Inglewood, California, on Nov. 8.
“Everyone responds well to Rod,” Gruden said of Marinelli, who was elevated from the defensive line coach. “They’ve done it before. It’s not like a new guy is coming. He has the right answer, a lot of respect. I think people trust him. He’ll do a good job. It will be a high commission for him, obviously, in the our defense, but I know we look forward to the challenge.We have a lot of respect for the Chargers.
“We’re not going to go to the tank. We’re going to stay mentally strong here, and we’re going to get better and better and do the best we can every time.”
Marinelli, 71, left out questions about his age and whether he wanted to have the job of defensive coordinator in Las Vegas beyond this season.
“All I do is work right now,” he said. “I’m training, people increase that age. … I want to see them step on their shoes and take my juice, okay? And I love it, so I never see it beyond. I just want you to go do one. great job right now and our job is to help these men. This is my job. This is what we close and go for. “