There aren’t a ton of offensive players that the Raiders know they can count on for consistently strong performances, but left tackle Jared Veldheer is at or near the top of the list.
It follows, then, that they’d like to keep Veldheer on the field as much as possible this season and that they’d prefer that he not spend any time in an MRI tube. That’s just where Veldheer was on Tuesday for the second time this offseason as he searches for an answer to why he continues to be bothered by a sore left triceps. The first MRI turned up no problem, so Veldheer returned to practice with additional padding on the arm and played in the first preseason game. The soreness hasn’t gone away, though, which sent Veldheer for another test.
“I don’t have any update on that right now,” coach Dennis Allen said, via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. “As soon as I do, I’ll let you all know. We’re taking another look at it.”
The results of the MRI are expected on Wednesday. Alex Barron took Veldheer’s place at left tackle in Tuesday’s practice and would be the likeliest starter for this week’s preseason game with the Saints in the event that Veldheer isn’t able to play. If there’s a more extended absence, Barron would stand a good chance of remaining there although the Raiders surely hope that no such shuffling is needed up front.