The simplest answer? The Raiders offensive line has to block better. According to Next Gen Stats, Josh Jacobs’ average yards per carry before contact is -0.1, which is the second-worst mark in the league among players with at least 40 carries. That means, on average, Jacobs is getting hit before he even gets to the line of scrimmage. Jacobs is adept at breaking tackles and making defenders miss — he’s averaging 2.5 yards per carry after contact (15th) — but there’s only so much he can do.

Despite leading the league in rushing last season, Jacobs is also to blame for the lack of success so far. As the story said, his holdout in camp cost him valuable time getting on the same page with his offensive line. Jacobs feels good physically, according to the story, but he acknowledged that time away has hampered his ability to read blocks early in the season. Jacobs and the offensive line have been in constant communication in an effort to get past the hiccups.

Is there enough practice time available to get Josh Jacobs ready for the season opener in less than two weeks at the Denver Broncos on Sept. 10?

“It’s going to be hard for me to say that until I have an opportunity to see him,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said after his team's preseason finale at the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. “Obviously, his conditioning and just the way his body feels will play a role in that, too. The goal will be to get him in and get going and we’ll do the right thing -- whatever the right thing is.

“If there needs to be a [set] number of plays early in the season, then that’s it. If there’s not, then there’s not. I don’t think any of us will know the answer to that yet.”

Related players: Zamir White, Damien Williams, Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden

In Jacobs' absence, second-year back White got the bulk of the first-team reps and carries, finishing the preseason with 86 yards and a touchdown while averaging 3.3 yards per carry. The Raiders also added Williams in training camp, and the eight-year veteran responded with 54 rushing yards on six carries with a 24-yard TD in the exhibition finale at Dallas, perhaps giving the Raiders staff something else to think about as cutdown day looms, the story said. The RB room that also includes vets Abdullah and Bolden as well as youngsters Sincere McCormick, Brittain Brown and Darwin Thompson. It remains to be seen, but White could be in store for a few extra touches at least early on in the season.

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $12 million Saturday.

Welcome back, Josh. The move allows the star running back to end his holdout and return to the Raiders. The deal is similar to that of Giants RB Saquon Barkley but instead of incentives, Jacobs gets a boost in his base value for the season, though the deal does also include $200,000 in incentives. The reigning rushing leader goes right back to bring a safe RB1 option, right around the top five at the position.

While the Colts let Jonathan Taylor seek a trade, league sources say the Raiders have shown no interest in trading their star RB Josh Jacobs. Jacobs hasn’t signed his tender, and no deal is imminent to get him into camp. The NFL rushing champ’s status for Week 1 remains to be determined.

Related Players: Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, Damien Williams

The Raiders have been pretty mum on the subject, even though the season opener is right around the corner. The team did sign Damien Williams recently, but he doesn't project to have any impact on the team's decision with their RB1. Jacobs has now slipped out of the top-10 running backs in 4for4's rankings due to his uncertainty for Week 1.

Running back Josh Jacobs is expected to report to the Raiders before their season opener in three weeks, multiple league sources have indicated.

But with only a few practices remaining before the club takes the field against the Broncos on Sept. 10, time is running out for Jacobs to be fully prepared for the rigors of an NFL game.

Jacobs has been away from the club all offseason and training camp after he and the Raiders failed to come to an agreement on a long-term contract. The story said if and when he returns, he will play either on the terms of the $10.1 million franchise tag or a modified one-season salary.

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, who hasn’t signed his franchise tender, was spotted this morning boarding a flight leaving Las Vegas. Jacobs won’t report for training camp Tuesday and has told people close to him that he doesn’t plan to return anytime soon.

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah, Zamir White, Brandon Bolden,

The possibility of a holdout seems to be increasing by the week for Jacobs. Any of the above three can be concerned as late-round sprinkles at this point, with 2022 fourth-rounder Zamir White the most intriguing.

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels says Josh Jacobs is not under contract (hasn’t signed franchise tag) and therefore is not at mandatory minicamp. Perfect attendance, otherwise. Once again, he spoke highly of Jacobs & is respectful of this process.

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden, Zamir White

Even though we haven't heard any updates, it's hard to assume that Josh Jacobs won't be suiting up well ahead of Week 1. Zamir White would be the contingency draft for the weary, as he was technically the first running back this coaching regimen had a hand in taking last year.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Jaguars have franchise-tagged TE Evan Engram.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Raiders placed the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs.

As expected. Both players' value get a boost since we now know where they'll be playing in 2023. Expect the Raiders to continue to use Jacobs in a bell-cow role. Engram had his best season in some time playing for HC Doug Pederson and should continue to be a big part of the Jacksonville passing game. Though with Calvin Ridley added to the mix, targets may be harder to come by.

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs – listed as questionable with quad and calf injuries – is expected to play tonight against the #Rams, per sources. Jacobs has an NFL-high 1,634 yards from scrimmage and will look to pad his lead against a depleted Rams defense without Aaron Donald (ankle).

Despite the questionable tag, Jacobs must be plugged into all fantasy lineups. This could enter blowout territory if the Rams really plan to start Baker Mayfield on the other side, so Ameer Abdullah can be considered in deep leagues for desperate managers.

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs hopes [to play] Sunday against the Chargers.

Related players: Zamir White, Ameer Adbullah

Jacobs was dealing with an ankle injury heading into Week 12 before running all over the Seahawks. Now dealing with a calf injury, Jacobs is not expected to practice much, if at all, this week because of the calf strain, Pelissero said in his tweet. Pelissero added Jacobs will get around-the-clock treatment. If he can't go, White and Abdullah would likely split up the workload.