Brandon

Bolden

White was listed as the No. 1 back on the Raiders’ first unofficial depth chart for last week’s preseason game against the 49ers. White rushed 13 times for 43 yards and one touchdown in the Raiders’ preseason win while playing with the backups. The former Georgia Bulldog has good size (6'0/215) and speed (4.40 40-yard dash) but never saw a true bell cow role in college. In 37 career games, White handled 15 or more rush attempts on just six occasions — a number that could increase drastically as the Raiders’ RB1. The possibility of Jacobs returning still looms, but White is an interesting late-round value as the season draws closer.

Williams beat out ex-Texans RB Rex Burkhead after both backs visited the team last week. The Raiders adding Williams suggests they don’t expect unsigned franchise RB Josh Jacobs to report anytime soon. Williams was limited to one game before getting released from Atlanta last year and is a longshot for the Week 1 roster.

Again, this is an unofficial depth chart. We shouldn’t read too much into it, but we also shouldn’t be surprised to see White listed as the RB1 with Josh Jacobs still holding out and the veteran combo of Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden serving as his only threats for touches. White was a fourth-round pick out of Georgia last year and spent the majority of his rookie campaign riding the pine. He totaled just 17 carries for 70 scoreless yards last season but should see significantly more work this season, with or without Jacobs in the lineup. White is a worthy late-round flier who could turn into a fantasy value if Jacobs misses time. Should Jacobs return, he still has contingent value as an end-of-the-bench stash.

There isn’t much to take away from this increase in touches. Zamir White was out for this contest, putting Bolden into the backup seat. Josh Jacobs briefly left the game, giving Jacobs the opportunity to soak up five carries on the Raiders’ second drive of the day. Once Jacobs returned, Bolden vanished. He is not a fantasy factor for Week 18.

Bolden has seen limited work on passing downs at various points of the season but did not log a rush attempt or target in this one. Josh Jacobs appears to have a stranglehold on all aspects of this backfield after the Raiders’ lead back rushed for 20-143-3 while also seeing four targets. There’s no reason to roster any member of this backfield outside of Jacobs.

Bolden sat out Week 2, but he was able to practice all this week, even getting in a full session on Friday. With Josh Jacobs (illness) suddenly looking very questionable after not traveling with the team on Friday, Bolden could be in for an expanded role.

Jacobs was not listed on the injury report until Thursday when he first missed practice with the illness. He also missed practice on Friday. Typically, players who get listed with an illness on the injury report are fine by Sunday, but this is definitely a situation to monitor. Should Jacobs be forced to miss his Week 3 matchup with the Titans, rookie Zamir White would step in a large role. White would be a viable RB3. Brandon Bolden, if healthy, would also see an increase in usage.

Bolden exited Week 1 early with the pulled hammy and was inactive last week against the Cardinals. The veteran was coach Josh McDaniels’ preferred passing-down back before leaving with his injury.

Bolden’s absence will relieve some touch pressure on Josh Jacobs, while perhaps freeing up some third-down looks for Ameer Abdullah and rookie Zamir White. Joining Bolden on the shelf are C Andre James, FS Tre’von Moehrig, LB Denzel Perryman, RB Brittain Brown, DT Neil Farrell and DT Matthew Butler.

Bolden did not participate in any of the three practices this week for the Raiders. Ameer Abdullah figures to be the next passing-down back up for Las Vegas as they take on Arizona on Sunday. This could also mean a few snaps for rookie runner Zamir White, who was active but did not play in Week 1.