The Raiders will be without arguably their best offensive lineman tonight as they attempt to create distance from themselves and the Chiefs in the AFC West.
Kelechi Osemele will miss tonight’s Week 14 tilt due to an illness, making this the standout left guard’s first missed game as a Raider.
To ignite a spending spree this offseason, Oakland signed Osemele to a contract that dwarfs other guards’ deals, and the fifth-year pro has made good on that investment. Pro Football Focus ranks the mammoth blocker No. 1 overall among guards, being tied with former Ravens mate Marshal Yanda for that distinction through 12 games.
He’s been a part of a resurgent Raiders line that’s helped the team rank fifth in total offense and seventh in rushing. The latter figure is a noticeable jump from the team’s struggles in 2015, when they ranked 28th on the ground. In the passing game, Oakland ranks fourth and has allowed a league-low 13 sacks.
This will mark a fourth straight season Osemele’s missed at least one game. The former second-round pick missed two in each of the past two seasons and nine during Baltimore’s 2013 slate.
Rookie Vadal Alexander will be replacing Osemele in the starting lineup in Kansas City, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (on Twitter). Alexander’s started three games this season for a Raiders team that’s deployed more six-offensive lineman sets than any other offense this season.