In a crushing blow to the Las Vegas Raiders’ already beleaguered offensive line, right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson is headed to injured reserve and could miss the remainder of the season due to a severe ankle injury, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.
The insider, who requested anonymity as the move has yet to be officially announced, revealed the devastating update following Powers-Johnson’s injury during Thursday night’s gritty 10-7 defeat to the Denver Broncos. The setback adds to a string of misfortunes for the promising lineman, who has struggled to stay on the field since entering the NFL.
Selected in the second round of the 2024 draft out of Oregon, Powers-Johnson arrived with high expectations and was penciled in as the starting center heading into training camp. However, health issues and competition derailed those plans. He ultimately lost the center spot to Jordan Meredith and shifted to guard, where he battled veteran Alex Cappa for playing time. Demonstrating resilience and talent, Powers-Johnson edged out Cappa to claim the starting role—but his tenure has been cut short by this latest hurdle.
With Powers-Johnson sidelined, Cappa is poised to step back into the starting lineup, providing some continuity amid the turmoil. The Raiders, desperate to turn their fortunes around, now face a critical test as they host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football next week. Fans and coaches alike will be hoping this isn’t the final chapter in what has been a rollercoaster rookie season for the young guard.