Thayer

Munford Jr.

The Raiders had multiple lineman listed on the injury report Wednesday, starting with Miller, who was listed as a non-participant due to knee and shoulder injuries. OT Thayer Munford (knee/ankle) was a full participant while OG Dylan Parham (foot) was a non-participant.

Munford was limited in practice throughout the week and remains a game-time call. He has missed the past two games with his pair of injuries. DJ Glaze will draw his third start in a row if Munford can’t suit up.

Adams’ status is unsurprising, given the trade talks currently swirling. Hopefully, this is resolved quickly so fantasy managers can return Adams to starting lineups. The Raiders also ruled out TE Michael Mayer (personal), T Thayer Munford Jr. (knee/ankle), CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring), RB Zamir White (groin) and S Trey Taylor (knee).

The Raiders are taking on water on both sides of the ball because of injuries. Munford missed Week 4 with the knee and ankle issues and now appears set to sit out of Week 5 as well. Third-round rookie DJ Glaze will likely get his second career start versus the Broncos this week.

Mayer is out for personal reasons. Head coach Antonio Pierce did not give any further details. His absence will ensure a full complement of routes for rookie tight end Brock Bowers. With Davante Adams also out, Bowers has TE1 overall potential this week. Right tackle Thayer Munford is also out for Week 4.

A four-year starter, Munford (6'6"/328) played tackle before moving to left guard in 2021. He was announced as a tackle. Munford’s size is his greatest weapon with a big frame and 90th+ percentile wingspan. With his long arms, he can usually get his paws on defenders first, and if he gets them in the right spot, he’s extremely difficult to move. That means the best way past him is around him. Unfortunately, that is where he can get beat. He’s not the quickest guy out there, lacking straight-line speed (his 5.39 40 ranks in the 23rd percentile) to get to the second level and lateral mobility to mirror speed rushers effectively. He does have positional versatility to go with his great strength, though, and while he often looked better as a tackle, some of his traits suggest inside will be better for him. He had an outstanding 91.8 PFF grade as a tackle in 2020, but his 73.7 grade in 2021 as a guard isn’t too bad, either. He’s a developmental piece, but he’s got the strength and length to potentially be an NFL starter.

Munford (6'6/321) was unable to put much weight on his right leg while being helped off the field during the first half of Saturday’s win. Following the game, HC Ryan Day said that the injury did not appear to be “long-term.” How much time Munford has to miss most likely won’t be known until next week, and Matt Jones is the player most likely to fill the resulting void.

Munford (6'6/321), one of the top draft-eligible offensive linemen in college football, was unable to put much weight on his right leg while being helped off the field. Matt Jones has replaced the senior at left guard, and would be given the task of filling that void if Munford is unable to return.

With Harry Miller not traveling with the team, freshman Luke Wypler makes his debut. The starting linemen tonight will be Nicholas Petit-Frere, Thayer Mumford, Luke Wypler, Paris Johnson and Dawand Jones.

Not only does Munford have the best grade among returning left tackles, but he’s got the best grade among all returning Power Five OL. Munford (6'6/321) earned a 91.8 grade from PFF, while the next-best returning OL on PFF’s theoretical starting five is Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum, who has been billed as a potential first-round pick. Munford is not as solidified in the elite tier of his respective position group for NFL Draft purposes, but it’s clear he’s got the starting experience (three year starter already) and production to be valued as a top-75 pick.