The Raiders fell to 1-7 at the season’s midway point and have an inside track to a top 2 pick in April’s NFL draft. Oakland also has two other first-round picks, from the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, after trading edge rusher Khalil Mack and receiver Amari Cooper.

In an interview with Fox Sports this week, Gruden told Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long that players around the league have expressed their desire to play for him in 2019.

“I get a lot of phone calls from people that are dying to come play here. I’m just telling you. They’re dying to play for the Raiders,” Gruden told Long. “And to have salary-cap space and to have a chance to talk to the people that you really want to wear the silver and black, the guys you really want to wear the silver and black and represent this team, that’s exciting.”

Raiders veteran defensive end Frostee Rucker, a 12-year veteran who is in his first season with Oakland, said he believed others would want to come to Oakland, despite the poor record and plummeting play.

“Absolutely, I’m sure,” Rucker said. “You get a chance to play for this storied franchise? That’s why I came — it’s Coach Gruden. I came here for [defensive coordinator] Paul Guenther. I came to put that skull on my helmet, and I’m still fighting, every day. I still love to be a Raider.”

And while Rucker said he had not seen the Gruden interview with Long, he did acknowledge, “Maybe some of the noise from the outside has gotten in, you know? Maybe. Maybe. Maybe all this writing, all this stuff on social media has taken its toll on some guys listening to it.

“No one’s packing it in. Coach hasn’t quit. It’s not about next year, or the year after that. It’s not about that. We’re trying to win. It’s just not happening right now.”

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said he was curious about the roster going forward.

“The thing that we’re at now is, who’s going to want to continue to show up? Who’s going to continue to fight?” Carr said.

“Because those are the kind of men you want on the team when it starts going well. Those are the kind of guys that when coach isn’t around or one of our leaders, everyone in the locker room, the conversations they’re having, they’re only building us forward. Because the ones that pull you away, you don’t want any of those guys.”

Gruden, meanwhile, said he is approached by players after “every game” who want to play for Oakland.

“That’s been the case my whole life,” he said. “I think the brand of the Raiders is an exciting one. I think a lot of players, no doubt, do want to play for us in the future.”

2 Related

Starting right guard Shaq Mason, who was knocked out of Monday’s win over the Bills with a calf injury, didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walkthrough. He’s arguably the team’s best offensive lineman, and if he isn’t available for Sunday’s game against the Packers, the team would turn to Ted Karras. Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia said that Karras played well in his emergency duty on Monday. Meanwhile, WR Julian Edelman’s status bears watching, as the combination of an ankle injury and illness kept him off the field and out of most team meetings Wednesday. — Mike Reiss

The Jets’ top wide receivers, Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson, didn’t practice Wednesday because of ankle injuries. That means QB Sam Darnold could have another skeleton receiving corps when he faces the Dolphins. Enunwa, sidelined two games, is closer to returning than Anderson (one game). Enunwa participated in individual drills, a sign he might soon be ready to return to practice. In the meantime, the top receivers are Jermaine Kearse, Andre Roberts and rookie Deontay Burnett. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Three offensive line starters and one reserve — left tackle Ronnie Stanley, left guard Alex Lewis, right tackle James Hurst and backup Bradley Bozeman — didn’t practice Wednesday. The biggest concern is Stanley. If he is sidelined along with Hurst, the Ravens would likely start Jermaine Eluemunor, who has been on the practice squad for most of the season. This will be a problem against the Steelers, who are tied for second in the NFL with 24 sacks. — Jamison Hensley

A.J. Green was seen in a walking boot in the locker room after injuring his toe against the Buccaneers. Although Green said he was fine after the game, it will be something to watch over the coming weeks. The Bengals are on their bye week, and he’ll get some extra time to heal, but a game against the Saints looms after that. — Katherine Terrell

Cornerback E.J. Gaines was cleared from concussion protocol and was back on the practice field Wednesday. Gaines started two games after Terrance Mitchell broke a bone in his wrist but missed two games with the concussion. That forced the Browns to move Damarious Randall from safety to corner. With Gaines back, Randall could return to his deep safety role. — Pat McManamon

The Steelers will closely monitor the left index finger of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who injured his non-throwing hand in last week’s win over the Browns. Roethlisberger missed Wednesday’s practice, which isn’t unusual for him. He typically rests on Wednesdays. Roethlisberger could wear a glove to protect the finger as he practices later in the week. He’s playing Sunday against the Ravens. — Jeremy Fowler

AFC SOUTH

Second-year running back D’Onta Foreman, who has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp while he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon, has still not been added to the active roster. On Wednesday, head coach Bill O’Brien said Houston “more than likely” will start the 21-day window to activate him after the bye week. — Sarah Barshop

Safety Malik Hooker missed the Colts’ Week 8 game at Oakland with a hip injury. Hooker’s injury became even more important when Mike Mitchell, who started in Hooker’s place against the Raiders, left the game with a calf injury. Mitchell was signed after Mathias Farley was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. — Mike Wells

2 Related

All eyes were on the safety position after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was traded Tuesday, and one of the potential replacements, Jermaine Whitehead, did not practice. He dropped out late in Sunday’s loss to the Rams with a back injury. The only other player who didn’t practice on Wednesday was linebacker Nick Perry (ankle). Even Aaron Rodgers made an appearance (albeit limited), marking the first time he has participated in a Wednesday practice since his Week 1 injury. He had been getting treatment during the first practice of the week. — Rob Demovsky

Dalvin Cook (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, as did Xavier Rhodes (foot), Andrew Sendejo (groin) and Riley Reiff (foot); all four players did not play against the Saints. Linval Joseph (ankle/knee) was limited. It remains to be seen how much any of these players might be able to play against the Lions, but the good news is the bye is only a week away. Stefon Diggs sustained an injury to his ribs against the Saints and was one of four who did not practice, along with Anthony Barr (hamstring), Tom Compton (knee) and Roc Thomas (hamstring). — Courtney Cronin

NFC SOUTH

Starting cornerback Robert Alford missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury and didn’t exactly look like a guy ready to run full-speed anytime soon. If Alford is unable to go Sunday, then the Falcons would have to go with rookie Isaiah Oliver in the starting lineup. Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel is confident in Oliver, if needed. “He has to be prepared as a professional to go in and dominate his role,” Manuel said of Oliver. — Vaughn McClure

Quarterback Cam Newton was limited Wednesday, as he was last week Wednesday through Friday, as part of maintenance on his sore right shoulder, for which he underwent surgery during the 2017 offseason. But there is no concern that it will be an issue Sunday. Wide receiver Torrey Smith’s knee is another thing. Smith has not practiced since he went down hard on his knee against Philadelphia a week and a half ago. — David Newton

Just when rookie DE Marcus Davenport was coming on strong with two sacks in Week 8, he suffered a toe injury that left him in a walking boot Wednesday and will likely keep him out Sunday against the Rams — and possibly longer. The Saints have a reliable alternative in veteran Alex Okafor, who was splitting time equally with Davenport. But obviously, they like to rotate bodies there, and Davenport added some much-needed juice. The Saints’ pass defense needs all the disruption it can get up front since it still ranks among the bottom five in the NFL in most categories. — Mike Triplett

The Bucs have a ton of new injuries. Although they might get defensive tackle Gerald McCoy back from a calf injury, wideout Mike Evans missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. So did defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who has injured his ribs and his foot, and right tackle Demar Dotson, who has knee and shoulder injuries. The most serious injuries are to cornerback M.J. Stewart, who has a cast on his foot, and running back Ronald Jones, who is expected to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury. Vinny Curry had his boot removed from his ankle last week and has returned to practice on a limited basis. — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

With the Cardinals on a bye, they have an opportunity to get healthy before their second half begins. The two most important players they need to get healthy are right guard Justin Pugh and safety Tre Boston. Otherwise, the Cardinals are healthy heading into the bye. — Josh Weinfuss

The Rams expect receiver Cooper Kupp to return Sunday against the Saints. Kupp has been sidelined since the second half of a Week 6 victory over the Broncos because of a knee sprain. “He’s attacked his rehab just like I know we all anticipated he would, made a good recovery,” Sean McVay said. “I think if we really wanted to press it, he probably could’ve played last week.” — Lindsey Thiry