Raiders running back Latavius Murray undergoing concussion protocol

Oakland Raiders’ running back Latavius Murray is undergoing concussion protocol after Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Latavius Murray, Amari Cooper and Derek Carr have got this Oakland Raider offense rolling. Murray himself has ran for 630 yards off 132 carries this year. Carr is quickly proving he is the best young quarterback in the NFL and Amari Cooper is the best young weapon. Put the 3 together alongside a solid offensive line anchored by free agent acquisition Rodney Hudson and other players like Michael Crabtree, and a very decent offense is born.

However, things may be slowing down a bit as Murray may be out of commission for a bit while he undergoes the NFL’s concussion protocol, per Bill Williamson of ESPN.

Murray was hit hard in the third quarter by Steelers safety Mike Mitchell and left the game to not return. In the play, Murray fumbled which was successfully recovered by the Steelers, but Oakland head coach Jack Del Rio will be much more concerned about his starting tailback. Murray’s availability for the tough week 9 match up with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Raiders went on to lose one of the most entertaining games of the weekend, and now sitting at 4-4, they still harbor hopes of making the playoffs. The AFC wildcard picture is wide open, with the 5-3 Jets and 5-4 Steelers the only teams with a winning record not leading their division. The Raiders will be hoping to challenge for one of the two wildcard spots, but the loss of Latavius Murray would be a major blow.

Further misery was added to Jack Del Rio when star center Rodney Hudson left the game in the fourth quarter with a lower leg injury. Hudson was signed from AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on a 5-year $44 million contract last summer, and would add salt to the wounds. The Raiders will be nervous to get both Rodney Hudson and Latavius Murray back in action as they push to make the post-season.