PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

New England Patriots > Patriots Blog

Raiders May Have Problems vs Jets Sunday

Ian Logue
Ian Logue on Twitter
January 2, 2002 at 8:48 pm ET


🕑 Read Time: 1 minutes

ALAMEDA, CA — It appears that the Oakland Raiders may have some personnel problems when they battle the Jets on Sunday.

ESPN is reporting that Wide receiver Jerry Rice left the team on Wednesday to be with his ill father in Mississippi and may miss the team’s game against the Jets on Sunday. Head coach Jon Gruden feels that Rice’s family comes first and is planning on Rice not being in uniform on Sunday.

“That’s the place for him to be, because family is most important,” Gruden told ESPN on Wednesday. “We’ve got to plan for him not being here. If there’s any way for him to be here, he will.”

Meanwhile the Raiders may also be without kicker Sebastian Janikowski who was checked into a hospital for cellulitis, a swelling condition, in his kicking foot.

“He’ll remain in the hospital for a day or two and hopefully this thing will clear up and he’ll be ready to go on Sunday,” Gruden said.

It’s a condition that also caused him to miss two games last year.

Oakland’s game on Sunday against the Jets is one that fans throughout New England will be keeping an eye on because of it’s significance to the Patriots postseason. A Jets victory over the Raiders will give New England the number two seed in the upcoming playoffs, and a first round bye. Head coach Bill Belichick knows about all the possibilities, and for now he’s just focused on his team’s upcoming game against Carolina on Sunday.

“There’s all sorts of possibilities, but our focus is just trying to win the AFC East Championship and beat Carolina,” said Belichick on Wednesday. “The Jet-Oakland game may or may not mean anything depending on what we do so we have to take care of our business.”

READ NEXT:
Defense Needs to Be Ready For Dismal Panthers Offense

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.


  • Comments are closed.

  • More Patriots News Headlines:

    Bruschi’s Proudest Moment: Former LB Speaks to MusketFire’s Marshall in Recent Interview

    Bruschi’s Proudest Moment: Former LB Speaks to MusketFire’s Marshall in Recent Interview

    By: Ian Logue
    Former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi recently spoke with MusketFire's Sara Marshall, with Marshall putting together a great interview during a recent charity event.
    19 hours ago
    Monday Patriots Notebook 4/22: News and Notes

    Monday Patriots Notebook 4/22: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    The most likely partner for the New England Patriots continues to be the Minnesota Vikings, who appear to be coveting Drake Maye.  However, it may…
    20 hours ago
    Patriots News 4-21, Kraft-Belichick, A.J. Brown Trade?

    Patriots News 4-21, Kraft-Belichick, A.J. Brown Trade?

    By: Steve Balestrieri
    Brown had 88 catches for 1496 yards with 11 TDs in 2022. He followed that up with 106 catches for 1456 yards and 7 TDs…
    2 days ago
    MORSE: Patriots Draft Needs and Draft Related Info

    MORSE: Patriots Draft Needs and Draft Related Info

    By: Mark Morse
    It has been well documented that the Patriots need a QB, a game changing Wide Receiver or two, and a starting Left Tackle.  But a…
    4 days ago
    Friday Patriots Notebook 4/19: News and Notes

    Friday Patriots Notebook 4/19: News and Notes

    By: Ian Logue
    After seeing fellow receiver DeVonta Smith receive a three-year extension from the club, Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown made some noise on Thursday to seemingly…
    4 days ago

    Share via
    Copy link
    Powered by Social Snap
    Search For Links: - CLOSE
    For searches with multiple players
    add commas (Ex: "Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty")