If you're puzzled by what's going on with Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, you aren't alone. Powers-Johnson himself apparently doesn't really know what's going on, either.
After being slated to be the team's starting center following a successful rookie season, Powers-Johnson was passed over for veteran Jordan Meredith, who had never played a snap at the position during his NFL career.
From there, Powers-Johnson was thrust into a competition at right guard with Alex Cappa, but the second-year offensive lineman won that battle and started in Week 1.
However, Powers-Johnson was mysteriously absent from the starting lineup upon returning from a concussion in Week 3, and now head coach Pete Carroll is saying the Oregon product has to compete with Cappa at right guard again, even though Cappa was terrible on Sunday.
"I know you're interested in JPJ. This is official week to practice and to get ready. Last week was not that, so he's ready to compete for playing time and he and Alex will be going at it (for right guard). It's a good situation in that regard," Carroll said.
It remains unclear exactly what problem the Raiders have with Powers-Johnson that has them considering playing an inferior lineman in Cappa over him.
According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Powers-Johnson is in the dark on the matter, also. The young offensive lineman told Bonsignore that he "has not gotten any feedback" on why he's in the current situation he's in.
“It’s basically Jackson Powers-Johnson who’s been identified as somebody that needs to keep fighting for his job and fighting for playing time,” Bonsignore said on the First and 10 podcast. "He has not gotten any feedback from his words to me about why that is, and all he could do is keep putting his best foot forward. He’s open to playing guard, center, defensive line… I would not say that he was happy about it. I could tell. I’ve been doing this a long time.”
This really shouldn't be that hard. Powers-Johnson is clearly a better player than Cappa, and JPJ is someone who could be a starter for many years to come, something that is important for a team still building out its roster.
The fact that the Raiders haven't communicated with Powers-Johnson about why he is still fighting for a starting job is stunning. After all, you would think the Raiders would want to tell him what's wrong so he can work on it and fix it.
This situation remains baffling, plain and simple, and the Raiders aren't doing themselves or JPJ any favors in the process.
MORE NFL NEWS
- Pete Carroll confirms Raiders will continue baffling OL approach
- Tom Brady breaks silence over conflict of interest concerns
- Xavier Worthy injury update: Chiefs WR on track to play in Week 4
- Lions, Bengals named possible trade suitors for Raiders OL stuck in weird situation
- Aaron Rodgers looking forward to Dublin trip for one reason