Injuries have caused the right side of the Raiders offensive line to switch hands this season. And in both instances, the team decided it best to stick with the guy who stepped up rather than their initial top choice.
First it was Thayer Munford who was replaced at right tackle by rookie DJ Glaze. And Munford never got the job back. He is now the backup right tackle and third string left tackle.
Now it’s Jordan Meredith who stepped in for the injured Dyland Parham at right guard a few weeks ago. And even with Parham back healthy now, Meredith has been given the nod to keep that job over the former third round pick Parham.
“I think Jordan Meredith, we haven’t talked enough about him, but Jordan’s
done a hell of a job filling in,” head coach Antonio Pierce said Friday. “And the way he’s been playing, he’s earned the right to be a starter going forward.”
Meredith earned the vote of confidence in part by having a fantastic game in Cincinnati before the bye. A rare sight this season to see dominance from a Raiders offensive lineman.
Parham was active for the Bengals game and came in at left guard for the injured Cody Whitehair. If Whitehair is unable to go this week, Parham would start at left guard, giving him the chance to do the same thing Meredith did and earn a starting job there. Keep in mind, Parham was the team’s starting left guard the past two seasons, so he’s pretty familiar with the position.
