The Oakland Raiders have high expectations for their 2013 rookie class in the years to come and with DJ Hayden recovering from surgery, now it is the two top picks for the team that are being handled with care, as second round pick Menelik Watson left practice on Wednesday with a calf injury.
According to Fox Sports, Watson was on the practice field for the first time since the start of training camp and he eventually had to leave after re-injuring his calf, which is what kept him on the sidelines in the first place. General manager Reggie McKenzie had hopes that the rookie would compete for a starting position at right tackle with Khalif Barnes, but now it appears that he will only be a backup to start until he can get on the field consistently.
Watson was picked with the 42nd pick in the draft after starring at Florida State and he is part of a new overhaul to the offensive line and running scheme that head coach Dennis Allen is running. The 315-pound tackle is seen as a player for the future with the franchise and he appeared frustrated after finally stepping on the field. Defensive tackle Pat Sims also dealt with an injury after coming into practice after being sidelined and now the Raiders have some injury issues to deal with heading into their Friday matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Wide receiver Jacoby Ford has been dealing with injuries all camp and he will be an essential part of the offense as the team breaks in a new QB with Matt Flynn. The team also has been without Hayden in contract drills since coming back from his surgery and linebacker Miles Burris is also dealing with knee issues after surgery after starting 15 games last season. Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter came back after missing practice and Allen said none of the injuries appear to be long term problems.
"This is not the way I planned on my first training camp, I've not even took a snap yet," Watson said. "It's very frustrating, especially after the spring, making good strides in the spring. I wanted to get out there and get on the field."
