Important Preseason Awaits For Raiders' RB Room

With the current uncertainty behind what training camp/preseason will look like for Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, others must be prepared to step up.

The NFL preseason is often seen as just a thirst quencher for fans who have patiently waited over half a year to see their favorite teams take to the field, with little to no impact on the bigger picture.

For the Las Vegas Raiders and their fan base, it could hold much more significance this August.

Following the Raiders' failure to agree on a contract extension with star running back Josh Jacobs, it wouldn't be outlandish to prepare for the league's reigning champion to hold out through training camp -- and perhaps even beyond.

For now, and until any of that is made clear, the focus shifts to the rest of the running back room.

Las Vegas has several contenders for the backup running back position and those who could fill Jacobs' void in the lineup if need be.

Training camp and the preseason could end up being critical for this position battle.

The Raiders have a great young prospect in Zamir White, who was the starting running back two years ago on Georgia's national title team.

White had a solid preseason last year, posting 90 rushing yards, 31 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the four games.

In the fourth game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he led the way with 75 yards from scrimmage.

Another option is Ameer Abdullah, a veteran who enters his 11th season in the NFL and second in Las Vegas.

Abdullah served as more of a receiving asset for the Raiders at times last season, finishing with 211 yards and a touchdown on 25 receptions.

He saw a hefty 175 snap counts compared to White's 40, but at the running back position especially, every new year in the late stage of a career is more often than not a step backward in productivity.

Then there's Brandon Bolden, the other second-year veteran Raider running back, who fell right between the two last season with 82 offensive snaps.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Bolden has experience contributing to winning teams, but as is the case for Abdullah, age is a factor to be considered.

The Las Vegas Raiders open training camp for the entire team on July 25, 2023.

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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