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.”
Support Us: We're Currently Invisible in Google News
We need your help. A recent algorithm change has destoyed our traffic, and we need a quick moment of your time.
If you enjoy our content, please help us gain visiblity in Google's algorithm by adding us as a preferred source on Google News.
Click the button below and check the box next to "PatsFans.com"
Add as a preferred source on Google News
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.
More Patriots News Headlines:
MORSE: Patriots Busy Adding to 53-Man Roster and Practice Squad
By: Mark MorsePatriots bolster 53-man roster with Erick Hunter, add Jose Ramirez, Jalen Hunt to practice squad, and announce 2026 captains.
MORSE: Patriots Roster Remains in Flux
By: Mark MorsePatriots reshape their roster with new waiver claims Cameron Latu & Darius Muasau, plus extensive practice squad additions and releases.
Breaking Down the Patriots’ 2026 Initial 53-Man Roster
By: Steve BalestrieriBreaking down the Patriots' 2026 initial 53-man roster. Strengths include Drake Maye and receivers, but defensive depth remains a key question.
MORSE: Some Hits and Misses on Patriots’ Initial 53-Man Roster
By: Mark MorseEliot Wolf's Patriots' 53-man roster is scrutinized for hits, misses, and depth challenges. Trades for Kiner and Rouse addressed immediate needs.
Patriots News And Notes 08-30: The Depth Will Be An Issue
By: Steve BalestrieriThe Patriots' initial 53-man roster will reveal depth concerns. Gonzalez's stalled contract, and roster holes.
