Oakland Raiders: Offseason intermission at right time for Gareon Conley
The Oakland Raiders will count on Gareon Conley to bounce back from an injury-riddled year. He tweaked his groin but has six weeks to fully recover.
There’s pressure on Oakland Raiders 2017 first-rounder Gareon Conley to perform at a high level after playing just 92 snaps during the previous year due to an ailing shin.
When the second-year cornerback tweaked his groin during mandatory minicamp, many fans rolled their eyes and mumbled “here we go again.”
Nonetheless, head coach Jon Gruden expects Conley to participate in training camp:
Jon Gruden said CB Gareon Conley will he ready to go for training camp. Dealing with minor groin strain.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 14, 2018
There’s no reason to downplay the cornerback’s injury unless it’s courtesy for a player who went through a season with a lingering ailment that didn’t seem significant until the inactive count started to pile up.
Gruden’s words offer some reassurance. Nonetheless, Conley’s so-called minor groin injury puts the fanbase on edge to say the least. Fortunately, the Raiders also picked up cornerback Daryl Worley who started 25 games with the Carolina Panthers over the past two seasons.
He took first-team reps while the Ohio State product sat out, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken:
CB Daryl Worley seeing first-team reps today opposite Rashaan Melvin with Gareon Conley sidelined. Ian Silberman at first-team RT again. Breno Giacomini not practicing.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 13, 2018
Former Raiders assistant defensive backs and cornerbacks coach Rod Woodson added some context to Conley’s shin injury last year. He appeared on NFL Network and said it stemmed from a vitamin D deficiency:
Whether it’s body conditioning, specifically nutritional issues, causing injury, the Raiders staff in place will likely make sure Conley takes care of his body so he’s ready to practice in the summer.
Despite Conley’s minimal reps, there’s enough on film to say, he has the ability to develop into a starting-caliber player. Apparently, it’s health that will ultimately determine his impact.
As a first-rounder, fans and coaches just want to see him on the field. With cornerback Rashaan Melvin on one side and Worley, safety Marcus Gilchrist or rookie cover man Nick Nelson in the slot, Oakland’s secondary could make a huge leap with Conley in action.
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Fortunately for the 22-year old, the team has an approximate six-week intermission. Oakland will also hold joint practices with the Detroit Lions on Aug. 7 and 8. It’s important for Conley to log a full training camp after missing out on much of the program last year.