Raiders safety Karl Joseph is awaiting MRI results to learn the full extent of his foot injury. But, based on the initial diagnosis, there is a fear that it’s of the serious variety (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).
Joseph was benched to start the 2018 season and the club did not pick up his fifth-year option for 2020. Then, this offseason, they signed Lamarcus Joyner and drafted Johnathan Abram in the first round. The Raiders were set to move on from Joseph – until Abram suffered a labrum tear and landed on IR.
Now, it looks like they’ll be without Joseph for a while, if not the rest of the season. On Thursday night, Joseph’s leg buckled after he picked off Philip Rivers‘ third interception of the night. After the game, reporters spotted him with crutches.
Up until this point, Joseph started in every game for Oakland, logging 48 tackles and three passes defensed. Today, he ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 31 ranked safety in the NFL, ahead of notables such as Budda Baker, Morgan Burnett, Adrian Amos, Landon Collins, and Rodney McLeod.
At minimum, it sounds like the 5-4 Raiders will be without Joseph when they face the Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 17.
At least it’s the Bengals.