MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Head coach Jack Del Rio up-front about Obi Melifonwu’s activity level upon return from injured reserve.
The Raiders had a big role for him. It’s far smaller now after so much time out.
The second-year safety out of UConn played seven snaps on defense and 10 more on special teams in Sunday’s 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
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Starting safeties Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson play virtually every snap, and have since the season began. The hybrid linebacker role he worked within this summer isn’t available either, with NaVorro Bowman taking every snap at middle linebacker.
If Melifonwu had been healthy this whole time things might be different, but he can’t make up for so much time missed with a knee injury suffered in the preseason’s third game.
He missed more time before that with an ankle injury. He hasn’t practiced much, and needs time to develop the mental aspects of playing a new position.
NFL
He had two run stops on defense, and allowed a 12-yard catch the one time he was targeted.
The Raiders didn’t use many cornerbacks, riding TJ Carrie, Sean Smith and Dexter McDonald to account for all coverage snaps.
OFFENSE
Quarterback – Derek Carr 63
Running back – Marshawn Lynch 37, Jalen Richard 12, DeAndre Washington 9
Wide receiver – Amari Cooper 57, Michael Crabtree 53, Seth Roberts 35, Johnny Holton 7, Cordarelle Patterson 6
Tight end – Jared Cook 53, Lee Smith 30, Clive Walford 12
Offensive line –Kelechi Osemele 63, Rodney Hudson 63, Donald Penn 63, Marshall Newhouse 63, Gabe Jackson 63, Vadal Alexander 3, Jon Feliciano 3
DEFENSE
Defensive line – Khalil Mack 66, Mario Edwards 42, Denico Autry 42, Eddie Vanderdoes 23, Treyvon Hester 23, Justin Ellis 16, James Cowser 3
Linebacker – NaVorro Bowman 67, Bruce Irvin 64, Cory James 58, Nicholas Morrow 2, Shilique Calhoun 1
Cornerback – TJ Carrie 67, Dexter McDonald 67, Sean Smith 53
Safety – Reggie Nelson 67, Karl Joseph 67, Obi Melifonwu 7, Shalom Luani 2
SPECIAL TEAMS
Keith McGill 21, James Cowser 21, Shalom Luani 18, Erik Harris 17, Marquel Lee 17, Shlique Calhoun 14, Johnny Holton 12, Xavier Woodson-Luster 12, Nicholas Morrow 11, Lee Smith 10, Giorgio Tavecchio 10, Obi Melifonwu 10, Jon Feliciano 9,Marquette King 8, Jon Condo 8, Jalen Richard 8, DeAndre Washington 8 Justin Ellis 6, Clive Walford 6, Karl Joseph 5, Gabe Jackson 5, Vadal Alexander 5, Marshall Newhouse 4, Dexter McDonald 4, TJ Carrie 4, Khalil Mack 4, Treyvon Hester 4, Mario Edwards 3, Eddie Vanderdoes 3, Kelechi Osemele 4, Amari Cooper 1, Jared Cook 1,
DID NOT PLAY
QB EJ Manuel
INACTIVE
CB Gareon Conley, QB Connor Cook, FB Jamize Olawale, OT Jylan Ware, DL Jihad Ward, CB David Amerson, OT David Sharpe
