Raiders rookie offensive guard Jackson Powers-Johnson practiced Wednesday, the first time in training camp that he’s taken the field with teammates.
Powers-Johnson began camp on the active/physically unable to perform list with an undisclosed injury. He passed his physical Wednesday and went through a limited practice in his return from PUP.
“Like anybody else, we’ve got to ramp him back up,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said, via Levi Damien of USA Today. “He has a few weeks. We’ve got a few weeks before the game.”
Veteran Cody Whitehair has taken first-team snaps at left guard in Powers-Johnson’s absence.
The Raiders drafted Powers-Johnson 44th overall to start immediately, but he is behind after missing so much practice time.
“To sit there and say he’ll probably be a starter day one? Eh, probably not,” Pierce said. “But I think it’s always smart with rookies not to rush him. First of all, it’s a learning curve. Then, it’s getting in there and getting back into practice shape and game shape. So, he’s got a way to go, and I think he’s done a good job off to the side on his own. Now he’s back. He’s off PUP, and we’re excited to have him back.”
