Having ran plays called by Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak in 2021, Kirk Cousins knows how much he values rushing offense.
“I think it’s a philosophy,” the quarterback said Wednesday morning at Intermountain Health Performance Center. “When you look at Klint and (offensive line coach) Rick Dennison, I think they have a belief in that, and I’ve played with them in the past and have lived that. And I would stand by them with that I do think it’s important to not abandon anything but stay the course.”
Whether it’s working or not.
The worst yards-per-carry in the NFL hasn’t yet stopped the Raiders from running the ball as they gear up for their Week 3 matchup with the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Las Vegas is third in rushing attempts with 66 its first two games despite a league-low 2.8 yards per rush, Ashton Jeanty’s opener notwithstanding.
The second-year running back ran in Week 1 for 102 yards on 23 carries, helping the Raiders control the clock and tenor of play with the Miami Dolphins. The Los Angeles Chargers committed Sunday to slowing Jeanty by any means, crowding the tackle box to hold him to 48 rushing yards on 22 carries.
“The (offensive) line has been doing a great job,” Jeanty said Wednesday. “I just need to do better running my tracks, making great reads.”
According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Jeanty is facing a loaded front — with eight or more defenders — on 40.9 percent his carries, second most in the NFL. The Dolphins couldn’t deter his rhythm to the same degrees the Chargers could, albeit with the consequence of Cousins throwing down the field.
The tradeoff for guarding Jeanty that way in a 26-14 Raiders win: Cousins completing 8 of 12 passes beyond 10 yards of the line of scrimmage for 181 passing yards. Said Kubiak, who also called plays for Cousins as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator: “They were ready for us, and it was one of those games. But you always got to find a way to win. The goal is to win the game and when one facet is not working then somebody else has to step up.”
Jeanty says the Raiders are “dynamic” both with their rushing and passing offense, albeit not in the same game yet. They ran the football to beat the Dolphins, threw the football to beat the Chargers — and hope to marry efficiency with both to topple the Saints and their high-octane offense.
Said offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko: “We’re always looking to strike a good balance with the run, with the pass, doing what we do best wherever we can stay ahead of the sticks. And just progressing, getting better at the run game, getting better at the pass game. And then trying to strike a great balance in between the two to make us the most multifaceted.”
Bowers still limited
Tight end Brock Bowers was limited Thursday at practice for the second straight day this week as he works toward a return from the left meniscus procedure that cost him the chance to play in Weeks 1 and 2.
Kubiak said he’d practice Wednesday with subsequent evaluations day-to-day.
“Brings a unique set of skills, both in the run and pass game,” Janocko said. “Something that as he as he progresses and gets ready to go again, we’re excited when he’s ready to go to get him back.”
Linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi were full participants Thursday with shoulder injuries that limited them Wednesday. Week 1 starting cornerback Darien Porter, limited Wednesday, practiced in full with a foot injury. Wide receiver Dareke Young, also limited Wednesday, practiced in full with a hamstring injury.
Defensive end Kwity Paye missed practice with an illness. Starting safety Treydan Stukes didn’t practice amid the concussion protocol.
AOC out of practice
Backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell remained out for personal reasons. He announced the death of his father. O’Connell also missed Sunday’s game with the Chargers.
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.