ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Austin Howard missed his second straight practice with an injured right ankle on Thursday, putting his availability for Sunday’s season opener at the New Orleans Saints in serious doubt.
If Howard is unable to play, expect fifth-year swing tackle Matt McCants, who can play either right tackle of left tackle, to take his place among the 46 active players in the Superdome.
Howard, who lost a competition with Menelik Watson for the starting right tackle position in training camp, was injured in the Raiders’ preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday.