Raiders lose key offensive lineman for Chiefs game

The Raiders spent the summer preparing Caleb Rogers for an opportunity they hoped wouldn’t come at Jackson Powers-Johnson’s expense.

On Sunday, that preparation will be put to the test.

Powers-Johnson has been ruled out of the Raiders’ game against the Chiefs with a groin injury, putting Rogers in line to take over at right guard in a matchup between undefeated AFC West rivals.

It is another frustrating injury setback for Powers-Johnson. But the Raiders anticipated the possibility when they developed Rogers as a co-starter over the summer, giving him a foundation to step in if Powers-Johnson’s availability became an issue.

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak’s explanation of that approach now sounds particularly relevant.

“Both of those guys are going to play this year,” Kubiak said.

That was more than an acknowledgment of the physical demands of an NFL season. It reflected a deliberate effort to prepare two players for a position where the Raiders understood they might need both.

Rather than wait for an injury to accelerate Rogers’ development, they made his readiness part of the plan.

Now comes the payoff they need from that investment.

Rogers will be asked to help protect quarterback Kirk Cousins and create running room for Ashton Jeanty as the Raiders attempt to improve to 4-0. His ability to provide stability will be particularly important against a divisional opponent capable of punishing breakdowns.

For Rogers, the assignment changes. His approach does not.

“When it comes to treating every single day the same, treating every single game every single week as our Super Bowl, it’s the most important day we have because it’s the only day we have,” Rogers said.

That mentality fits the responsibility the Raiders have been preparing him to handle.

“Regardless of whether I’m playing or not playing or if it’s a big week or preseason, OTAs, we’re here to get better,” Rogers said.

The Raiders would prefer to have Powers-Johnson available for one of their biggest early-season tests. His absence removes that option.

But it does not leave them without a plan.

They spent the summer building one. Sunday will show how well it holds up.