Raiders linebackers Nicholas Morrow, Javin White out for ‘a while’

They could miss time in the regular season

The injury news involving starting linebacker Nicholas Morrow is probably worse than initially expected, while the information about backup linebacker Javin White’s health is better than originally thought.

Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden updated the media on the injury status of the two players on Wednesday. Gruden said both Morrow and White will likely be out for “a while” and their injury time span could extend into the regular season. The Raiders open the season Sept. 13 at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.

Gruden did say Morrow’s injury be more serious, therefore it may keep him out longer. Morrow suffered a foot injury last Thursday in a scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams. It was initially reported he could be out a couple of weeks but now that timeline seems to have expanded.

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White, who should make the 53-man roster, suffered a knee injury against the Rams in a preseason game Saturday night and it looked bad. He was carted off the field and he was visibly emotional about it. So the fact that he may be back fairly soon has to be considered a victory.

Gruden said he hopes linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski can come back from an injury next week. The team put free-agent addition Darron Lee on the injured reserve this week, which ends his season.

If Morrow is out against the Ravens, Cory Littleton and Kwiatkoski will play in nickel with second-year player Tanner Muse playing on the outside in base defense. He missed his entire rookie season.

Gruden said the team will continue to monitor the linebacker situation outside of the organization as well. Las Vegas worked out veteran Mark Barron this week and continues to have interest in free agent K.J. Wright, who has played in Las Vegas defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system before. But his price tag may be a little high.