Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are facing yet another question mark on their injury-plagued offensive line ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos, with starting left guard Dylan Parham listed as doubtful to play due to a lingering elbow injury. Parham, who has been a staple in the Raiders’ interior line for two seasons, missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices entirely, and his limited participation on Friday wasn’t enough to move him to “questionable” status. The news comes at a fragile time for the Raiders’ offense, which has already dealt with multiple line injuries this season and now faces a Broncos defense that ranks 10th in the NFL in run-stopping efficiency. Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down Parham’s importance to the line, the risks of playing without him, the team’s backup options, and how this uncertainty could shape their game plan against Denver.

Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with why Parham’s potential absence is such a critical concern for the Raiders. Since entering the starting lineup as a rookie in 2023, Parham has established himself as one of the team’s most reliable linemen—allowing just 3 sacks in 28 career starts and committing only 4 penalties last season. This year, he’s been even more consistent: through 13 games, he’s allowed 1 sack, graded out as the Raiders’ highest-rated interior lineman by Pro Football Focus (78.2 overall), and has been a key blocker for Josh Jacobs’ 820 rushing yards. His elbow injury, sustained in last week’s win over the Chargers, has limited his ability to push off and anchor against defensive tackles—a major issue against a Broncos defensive line that includes D.J. Jones (4 sacks) and Mike Purcell (11 tackles for loss). “Dylan is the kind of player you don’t notice until he’s gone,” said offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. “He’s quiet, but he makes all the calls on the interior, he picks up blitzes, and he’s never out of position. Losing him would force us to shuffle a line that’s already been through too much turnover this year.”

Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders next delves into the ripple effects of Parham’s possible absence on the rest of the offensive line. The Raiders’ line has already used 9 different starting combinations this season due to injuries to Kolton Miller (left tackle), Alex Bars (right guard), and Andre James (center). If Parham sits, the team will likely move backup Kevin Zeitler from right guard to left guard—where he has just 5 career starts—and insert rookie Jaxson Kirkland into Zeitler’s right guard spot. Kirkland, a 2024 fifth-round pick, has played just 67 offensive snaps this season, mostly in blowout games, and has yet to face a defensive line as physical as Denver’s. This shuffle would mean two new starters on the interior line, disrupting the communication and chemistry that’s slowly built over the past month. “When you move guys around, even good ones like Zeitler, it takes time to adjust,” Bricillo explained. “Kevin hasn’t played left guard regularly since 2021, and Jaxson is still learning the speed of the NFL. It’s not ideal, but we have to make it work.” The Broncos, who specialize in exploiting line mismatches with stunts and blitzes, will likely target Kirkland early to test his readiness—a strategy that could lead to quick sacks or disrupted running plays.

Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders also explores how Parham’s doubt status is affecting the Raiders’ game plan preparation. Head coach Josh McDaniels has spent extra time this week practicing both “Parham in” and “Parham out” scenarios, including simplifying the playbook to reduce the burden on the backup linemen. If Parham sits, the Raiders plan to run more zone-blocking schemes (which rely on teamwork over individual matchups) and fewer man-blocking plays, and they’ll likely call more quick passes to get the ball out of Kirk Cousins’ hands before the Broncos can pressure him. Cousins, who has been sacked 38 times this season, has emphasized the need for patience if the line struggles. “We have to be smart about when we push the ball downfield,” Cousins said. “If the line is dealing with changes, we’ll lean on short passes, screens, and Jacobs to keep the offense moving. We can’t force plays that aren’t there.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, this adjusted game plan means sacrificing some of their offensive versatility—but it’s a necessary trade-off to avoid turnovers and keep the Broncos’ defense off balance.

Another layer of Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders is the team’s plan to manage Parham’s injury if he surprises and plays. Even if Parham is cleared to suit up, coaches plan to limit his snaps to about 60%—using him in key situations (third downs, red zone) and resting him on early-down running plays to protect his elbow. They’ve also worked with him on modified techniques, like using his non-injured arm more to anchor, and have added extra padding to his elbow brace to reduce pain. “We’re not going to risk Dylan’s long-term health for one game, even a big one,” McDaniels said. “If he plays, it’ll be with a plan to keep him safe, and we’ll have Kirkland ready to go in at a moment’s notice.” This “hybrid” approach, while cautious, adds another layer of complexity for the offense—players will have to adjust on the fly between Parham’s and Kirkland’s blocking styles, which differ significantly (Parham is a finesse blocker, Kirkland is more physical). For the Las Vegas Raiders, the uncertainty of Parham’s availability has forced them to prepare for two completely different games—a challenge that’s tested the team’s flexibility and focus.

Offensive Lineman Doubtful vs Opponent for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the stakes of this situation for the Raiders’ playoff push. The team currently holds the 7th and final wildcard spot with an 8-6 record, and a win over the Broncos would solidify their position and keep them in contention for a higher seed. A loss, especially if it’s due to offensive line struggles, could drop them to 8-7 and open the door for the Steelers or Bengals to overtake them. Parham’s health, while just one player, could be the difference between a playoff berth and a missed season. “This is the kind of moment that defines a team,” said Jacobs, who has rushed for 4.1 yards per carry with Parham in the lineup and 3.2 without him. “We’ve faced injuries all year, but we’ve found ways to win. Whether Dylan plays or not, we have to step up as a unit.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, the waiting game for Parham’s status will continue until Sunday morning’s final injury report—but regardless of the outcome, they know one thing: their offensive line will be tested, and their ability to adapt will determine if their playoff dreams stay alive. As kickoff nears, all eyes will be on the Raiders’ sideline to see if Parham takes the field—and if his backups are ready to fill his shoes.