DENVER – Raiders safety Nate Allen injured the same knee last week that put him on short-term injured reserve earlier in the year, leaving a void at strong safety.
It was filled by cornerback TJ Carrie earlier this year. The same switch was expected once Allen was ruled out of Sunday’s game at Denver. That’s not what played out.
Reserve Taylor Mays started for Allen and played 74 defensive snaps during the 15-12 victory over the Broncos. Carrie remained at cornerback, with 61 snaps rotating between the outside and the slot.
That left DJ Hayden with scraps, playing just 18 snaps – Carrie was banged up early on – in the entire game.