Raiders' Jacobs undergoes surgery ahead of regular-season finale
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs underwent minor surgery Wednesday night, the rookie announced on his Instagram story.
"Surgery went great, fastest surgery ever," Jacobs wrote in his initial post. He later posted an update, recording his lower left leg wrapped in bandages and writing, "This was random I didn't plan on even being here."
The 21-year-old provided another update Thursday, writing the procedure was due to an infection, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
"Josh Jacobs woke up with discomfort in his leg on Wednesday and he was evaluated and treated for a superficial skin infection," the Raiders confirmed in a statement Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Josh Jacobs posted on his Instagram Stories late Wednesday night that he had surgery. Said it went great. More to come on this. pic.twitter.com/QoKN18NcNW
— Scott Bair (@BairNBCS) December 26, 2019
The early hope is the Alabama alumnus' surgery won't affect his status for Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos, Rapoport reported earlier Thursday.
Oakland (7-8) still has a slight chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. To qualify for the postseason, the AFC West club must beat the Broncos and get some extra help in Week 17.
According to the NFL, Oakland can clinch the AFC's sixth seed with a win against Denver, a victory by the Indianapolis Colts, and losses by the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders must also clinch the strength-of-victory tiebreaker over the Steelers, which requires a win or tie by one of the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, or New England Patriots.
Selected 24th overall by Oakland in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs has missed two of the Raiders' past three tilts due to a shoulder injury. The 21-year-old has amassed 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground through 13 games this season.