Raiders-Panthers injury report: Key rookie may debut Sunday

Raiders are hopeful offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson plays against Carolina

There appears to be a solid chance that Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson will be ready to make his NFL debut Sunday when the Raiders open their home schedule against the Carolina Panthers at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT.

The second-round draft pick from Oregon has missed the first two games after overcoming an illness. Powers-Johnson missed much of training camp as well as he was dealing with a concussion. Wednesday, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said if he were a betting man, he’d “hope to see 58 out there.”

The Raiders have used both, free-agent additions Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat at left guard. So, if he’s healthy enough to play, there is a reasonable chance to think Powers-Johnson will play against the Panthers. Monday, Pierce said lineup changes on the offensive line were possible in an attempt to kickstart the Las Vegas running game, which was lacking in the first two games.

Meanwhile, regarding star defensive end Maxx Crosby and his ankle, Pierce said “we’ll see how the week goes.” Crosby injured his ankle late in the win over Baltimore on Sunday and was limping heavily after the game. Crosby, who hasn’t missed a play this season, has never missed a game in his six-season career despite having several ailments.

The Raiders released an estimated injury report after Wednesday’s walk-through practice. Crosby was among those listed as limited and linebacker Divine Deablo was listed as out with two injuries.

In other Raiders’ notes:

• Pierce noted that Raiders’ assistant coach Marvin Lewis can provide a scouting report on new Carolina starting quarterback Andy Dalton. Lewis was the head coach in Cincinnati when Dalton was drafted in 2011. Pierce expects Dalton to help the Panthers on third down based on his experience.
• Pierce said the Raiders knew they had a “blue chipper” in rookie tight end Brock Bowers and he can now say it after Bowers has shown it in the regular season. The first-round pick from Georgia leads all NFL tight ends with 15 catches for 156 yards.

• Pierce said pep talk Crosby gave quarterback Gardner Minshew after an interception Sunday was an example of Crosby’s leadership and how close the roster is.