Sincere McCormick vs. Bijan Robinson
Pierce announced Wednesday morning that Sincere McCormick will remain the starting running back going into Week 15.
McCormick found his window of opportunity when Alexander Mattison and Zamir White went down with injuries. McCormick was elevated from the practice squad and hasn’t looked back, averaging 5.5 yards per carry in his last three games. He rushed for a career-high 78 yards and 15 carries against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the most rushing yards from a Raiders back since Week 7.
“The one thing about him, he was ready,” Pierce said. “And what we’ve seen in practice and what you’re now seeing in the game has been that consistent player that’s worked, that grinds, has taken care of the opportunity, taking care of the football, running behind his pads, giving us that spark. And the last few weeks, each and every week – I think he’s gotten 6, 12 and yesterday I believe 15 or 16 carries – this is going to keep improving, and it will again this week.”
The former UDFA has a tough head-to-head matchup against one of the league’s premier running backs in Bijan Robinson. The 2023 first-rounder from Texas has taken a firm grip over being the lead back in Atlanta, ranking top 10 in the league in carries (215) and rushing yards (977). He’s also a threat in the passing game by averaging over 30 receiving yards a game.
“He’s a really good player,” Pierce said of Robinson. “I’ve watched him since high school, college. Dynamic player. Reminds me when I played Reggie Bush. I mean, first guy doesn’t tackle him, line him up at wide receiver, out the backfield, run game impressive. A really, really good football player. We’ve got our hands full with this one. We’re going to need all 11 Raiders to make this guy get on the ground and tackle him. It’s going to be a difficult challenge, obviously a tremendous player, but our guys are up for it.”