Oakland Raiders DE Justin Tuck Feared Done for the Season
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Oakland Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck could be facing the end of his season. The veteran reportedly tore his pectoral muscle in last weeks game against the Denver Broncos. While he’s still undergoing tests on the injury, the fear is that he could be out for an extended period of time. Rapoport says the time missed due to injury could range from a couple of games to the end of the season.
#Raiders fear that veteran DL Justin Tuck tore his pec, source says. He's undergoing tests, but will many several games, possibly the season
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2015
When asked specifically about Tuck’s injury, Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio responded that it was “not good.” The 32-year old Tuck is in his second season with the Raiders after spending the previous nine with the New York Giants. In the Raiders first five games he has one sack and three pass deflections this season.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, Tuck can not be placed on their injured reserve/designated for return slot. The team had already used the slot on recently acquired safety Nate Allen after he suffered a knee injury in early September.
The Raiders will be forced to lean on second round pick Mario Edwards Jr. out of Florida State. Edward’s father played in the NFL in the early 2000’s for the Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Dolphins. The junior Edwards has eight tackles, one forced fumble, and half a sack since being drafted in May. You would have to think that the Raiders plan for Edwards was to at some point replace the aging Tuck, but I’m sure they had hoped it wouldn’t be this early in Edwards career. At least they can get an early look of whether or not their investment of a second round pick was worthy of Edwards abilities.
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