Change in protocol gives Raiders hope players can return

The new COVID-19 testing protocols announced by the NFL on Tuesday mean the Raiders are in a much better position to get a number of key players back in time for their Sunday game against the Indianapolis Colts.

But while the seven defensive players who have tested positive for COVID-19 this week could still be eligible to play by Sunday, the Raiders must prepare for their potential absence when they take the field against the Colts.

The seven are starters Casey Hayward, cornerback; Denzel Perryman, linebacker; Cory Littleton, linebacker; K.J. Wright, linebacker; and reserves Darius Philon, defensive tackle; Patrick Onwuasor, linebacker; and Will Compton, linebacker, who tested positive on Tuesday.

However, thanks to the new rules put in place on Tuesday, the quarantine period for all vaccinated and unvaccinated players who test positive for COVID-19 has been cut from 10 days to five. Provided they are symptom-free, those players are eligible to return to action after five days with no additional testing required.

The revised protocols are in accordance with new CDC guidelines.

The Raiders, though, will also operate this week with the understanding that it is possible they will be missing a big chunk of their starting defense. And that doesn’t account for any teammates that might test positive in the coming days.

It creates a potential nightmare scenario going into such a critical game. Remember, the 8-7 Raiders need to sweep their remaining two games to guarantee a spot in the playoffs. The key will be how they go about replacing anyone forced to sit out.

The play of Hayward and Perryman this year makes them as indispensable as anyone on the Raiders’ defense.

Perryman missed two games recently with an ankle injury — against the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns and his middle linebacker spot was manned by K.J. Wright.

If Perryman, Wright and Compton aren’t available against the 9-6 Colts, Marquel Lee is the remaining option on the roster to fill that role. Compton, who signed with the Raiders three weeks ago, already had missed the last two games after the death of his mother.

Hayward has started all 15 games this season and delivered a level of play above and beyond the Raiders’ highest expectations. His potential absence on Sunday would be a massive loss, especially with fellow starting cornerback Trayvon Mullen on the injured reserve list and his replacement, Brandon Facyson still on the COVID-19 list after testing positive on Dec. 22.

If Hayward can’t play, Facyson and Desmond Trufant are expected to get the starting nods provided Facyson tests out of protocols. If Facyson remains on the COVID list, Keisean Nixon would likely get the nod alongside Trufant with Nate Hobbs at slot cornerback.

As of right now, that would leave only Amik Robertson in reserve, although the Raiders do have Tony Brown to turn to from the practice squad.

Littleton’s playing time has dwindled over the last two games with the emergence of rookie Divine Deablo. However, his potential absence — and that of Onwuasor — would severely cut into the Raiders’ depth at linebacker.

Former UNLV standout Javin White, who is on the practice squad, would likely get promoted to the active roster if Littleton can’t go.

Philon filled in admirably on Sunday as a rotational replacement for Johnathan Hankins, who was out with a back injury. If neither is available against the Colts, the Raiders will likely turn to practice squad defensive linemen Damion Square and P.J. Johnson to supplement Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas and Kendal Vickers.

The Raiders still have five days to work with, with a handful of testing paths available to get key players back.

But the worst-case scenario is something they have to be prepared to deal with.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore onTwitter.