Raiders puzzling offensive line shuffle takes another weird turn
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders had Jackson Powers-Johnson with the second team at right guard during Friday's practice.
Dylan Parham and Alex Cappa served as the starters at guard for the first team on Friday, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic.
Powers-Johnson, who started 14 games during his rookie campaign in 2024 and was solid, was initially competing for the starting center spot with Jordan Meredith in camp.
However, the coaching staff has moved him to guard in recent days, and it looks like he was demoted to the second team on Friday.
Though Las Vegas could be shuffling the offensive line to give reps to the depth piece, it's odd that Powers-Johnson is constantly switching between the starters and backups. The 22-year-old seemed like a lock to be a starter on the offensive line, but he could be competing for a spot on the unit.
In 15 games last year, Powers-Johnson played 535 snaps at guard and 421 snaps at center. The Oregon product allowed just two sacks and 23 quarterback pressures, and was also a stout run blocker.
A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Powers-Johnson is expected to be a future building block on the Raiders' offensive line, but the recent rotations on the group signal that he could be fighting for a chance to start on the interior.
MORE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS NEWS
Christian Wilkins' former Dolphins teammate calls 'BS' on Raiders rumors
Analyst's Raiders trade proposal would land Terry McLaurin from Commanders
Raiders beat writer explains possible reason behind Las Vegas' unexpected offensive line shuffle
Geno Smith already in midseason form at Raiders training camp
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