OAKLAND – The Raiders linebacker corps remains unsettled in the long term. Malcolm Smith seems like a mainstay, with question marks surround him. The Raiders have platooned players next to him on the inside, with Curtis Lofton generally working on run situations.
The Raiders have used fifth-round rookie Ben Heeney in the nickel package, used heavily in the last two contests. That’s why Heeney played 66 snaps during Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers and 43 the previous week at Denver.
Jack Del Rio’s staff is getting an extended look at the young player, a candidate to play heavily in coming seasons.