Justin

Tuck

On Tuesday, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie let his best offensive lineman (Jared Veldheer) walk, overpaid for Rodger Saffold, let reliable Rashad Jennings walk, let his best defender Lamarr Houston walk and re-signed injury-prone Darren McFadden. So how will he spend the rest of his money? Perhaps on two aging, declining edge rushers in search of a payday. Tuck, who will turn 31 later this month, looked done prior to his 9.5-sack outburst over the final six games of last year. Woodley, 29, has missed 14 games over the last three seasons.

“It’s been like a tug of war, and finally the rope broke,” Tuck told FOX Sports’ Mike Garofolo. “And where I fell was retirement.” The longtime Giant spent the past two seasons in Oakland, notching only six sacks in 20 games as a torn pectoral cost him most of 2015. Tuck registered four 10-sack campaigns during his nine years with the Giants, and heads into retirement with 66.5 total quarterback takedowns. In addition to his two Super Bowl titles, Tuck was a first-team All-Pro in 2008. He was slated for free agency before hanging up his cleats.

Tuck gave the Giants a chance to match the offer and they declined. It shows how far his stock has dropped. The league saw through his late-season contract-year push, as he compiled 9.5 sacks during the final six games of last season after recording a total of 10.5 sacks in the prior 37 games. He’ll turn 31 years old later this month and was clearly (and wisely) seeking to max out his earning potential. Tuck knows the Raiders have no shot to compete for rings anytime soon.

It’s likely a season-ending injury. Tuck started every game (244 snaps) as Oakland’s left end prior to going down. Mario Edwards will replace Tuck in base sets.

The 11-year veteran had started all five games this season, tallying one sack on 244 snaps. Now 32, Tuck has only six sacks in 20 games since leaving the Giants. He’ll be replaced by Mario Edwards in the starting lineup. Tuck is headed back to free agency after signing a two-year, $11 million deal in March 2014. The Raiders seem to love his leadership, so there’s a good chance he’ll be back in Oakland.

Tuck was held out early in the week, but practiced on a limited basis Friday. He’ll likely be a game-time decision. Signed to a two-year deal this offseason, Tuck has 26 tackles, two sacks, and an interception over eight games (five starts).

Tuck is still bothered by a stinger from the third preseason game in late August. He sat out Thursday’s practice after participating on a limited basis Wednesday. “I am concerned but I am not panicked,” Tuck said. “It is getting better but just not as fast as I want it to. We are going to do what’s best. You don’t want to go out there and lose a season off of one game.”

Tuck admitted that his neck hadn’t gotten any better as of Monday and said his recovery has become “stagnant.” The pain stems from a stinger he suffered in the preseason game against the Jets. If Tuck is forced to sit again, Dave Tollefson figures to draw another start.

“I don’t see how I will not play on Monday,” Tuck said. “But that’s me. ... I feel as though I could’ve gave it a shot on Sunday, but the doctor said there were some things that they were still worried about as far as going out there and banging it up and missing three or four games.” It doesn’t sound like he’s been full clearance just yet, but he’s headed in the right direction.

Tuck was limited in practice all last week, but was optimistic about his chances of playing. It’s unlikely he’ll see a full complement of snaps, but he might not need to to make a difference against a Rams line that did a poor job of protecting Sam Bradford in Week 1. Tuck will line up opposite RT Jason Smith, whose struggles were particularly glaring last weekend. Tuck typically kicks inside on passing downs. He’ll square off with Smith on first and second.