Nnamdi Asomugha's playing status in limbo
The Oakland Raiders (4-4) will need all the help they can get this week when they go up against their AFC West rivals, the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs (5-2). That means they’ll keep their fingers crossed in the hopes that shut down cornerback Nnamdi
Asomugha will be healthy enough to play in Sunday’s pivotal match-up.
The two-time Pro Bowler sat out of practice on Wednesday 3 November, still nursing a sprained right ankle. However, Raiders coach Tom Cable is hopeful that the injury will heal in time for this weekend’s contest, and optimistic that his starter will be ready.
“He’s improving, he is starting to put some weight on it,” the coach said of his star defensive back’s tender limb. “He and I talked this morning and we’ll see where he’s at tomorrow and again on Friday. We’re trying to take every precaution right now to
keep him off his feet.”
Asomugha sustained the injury in the final quarter of last week’s 33-3 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. After landing awkwardly on the foot of Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate, the cornerback was assisted to the Raiders’ locker room, and did not return
to the field.
Oakland’s secondary has had to battle a slew of injuries this season, and the latest incident left the embattled defensive unit without either of its starting corners. The Raiders’ other prominent defensive back, Chris Johnson, missed last Sunday’s game
after suffering a concussion against the Denver Broncos back on 24 October. However, Johnson was cleared by the team’s medical staff earlier this week, and is expected to participate in this Sunday’s showdown.
Meanwhile, cornerback Stanford Routt, who has been taking practice reps in Asomugha’s absence, is preparing for whatever may happen come Sunday. “It’s the same way you go through anything with your starting running back not going to be in or your starting
receiver or middle linebacker,” the back-up corner said. “You just have to go out and play football. No matter what, the ball will get kicked off on Sunday at 1:15pm.”
Still, the Raiders would more than likely rather play with their stand-out cornerback on the field. Asomugha, who is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best at his position, hopes to heal in time for this weekend’s game, having only missed a total of three
contests over the past five seasons.
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