There were a lot of storylines after the Raiders disappointing 36-22 loss to the Panthers, but one of the overlooked details from Sunday’s game was the return of rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Powers-Johnson played well in his first NFL game and was one of the few bright spots in a game that was overwhelmingly disappointing from the Raiders standpoint.
‘JPJ’ played 21 snaps in the game, according to Pro Football Focus, and it was a surprise to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur that he took all of his reps at right guard.
“It’s a small note, but I thought it was weird that Powers-Johnson came in today. They wanted to give him some run. [He] came in on the right side for Dylan Parham, which I thought that was kind of bizarre,” Tafur said on the Just Win podcast.
“Antonio was asked about it and Parham wasn’t hurt,” Tafur continued. “They just thought they want to give JPJ a shot on the right side, which I think is a little odd if you want a guy to be a factor and to get a role coming in for a guy who’s one of your better starters, I guess, in Dylan Parham. He’s not a problem. I thought that was kind of weird.”
Regardless of where he plays, the Raiders will welcome all the help they can get along the offensive line.
I think the #Raiders have a Star in Jackson Powers-Johnson. Only 21 snaps, mostly in Pass Pro.. But sometimes you can just see it.
— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) September 23, 2024
His ability to process information, the power when he passes DL games, to winning every 1v1 situation. JPJ will be our best linemen in a year. pic.twitter.com/5yOeghu9YL
Expect a bigger role in Sunday’s game for Powers-Johnson and the hope is that he can play a part in jumpstarting the Raiders running game.
Maybe Powers-Johnson likes the right side of the O-line, but whatever situation the team puts him in going toward, reps like this (below) need to become a thing of the past.
The #Raiders were down 14-7, went for it on 4th down from the Panthers 39 yard line in the 2nd qtr, and this is how Cody Whitehair impacts your entire game. pic.twitter.com/wYbk5EXDyb
— Sanjit T. (@Sanjit__T) September 23, 2024
