Chiefs vs. Raiders: Clelin Ferrell will miss game with COVID-19

Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell will miss the team’s game against the Chiefs in Week 11.

NFL reporter Ian Rapoport has word that Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell will not be able to play on Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ferrell was placed on the team’s reserve/COVID list earlier this week, and he’s tested positive for the coronavirus, which means he’ll be forced to recuperate and quarantine until it’s safe for him to be back on the field and around other players.

Ferrell was the Raiders top overall pick at No. 4 in the 2019 NFL Draft last year and was an instant starter for Jon Gruden’s team up front. In 15 starts, Ferrell had 38 total tackles, 15 quarterback pressures, and 4.5 sacks to go with 5 deflected passes.

The Raiders also placed LaMarcus Joyner on the same reserve list but he has not personally tested positive for COVID-19. Instead, Joyner was a part of contract tracing and simply needs to test negative before the game enough times in order to suit up.

For the Raiders, the upcoming home game against the Chiefs is a key game if they want to remain in control of their own postseason destiny. Right now, the Raiders sit at 6-3 overall and second in the AFC West behind the division-leading Chiefs at 8-1. However, they’ve already defeated the Chiefs once this year at Arrowhead and another win would give them the inside track to a playoff spot—something they haven’t made since 2016.

Ferrell has improved quite a bit in year two for the Raiders, which means his presence up front will be missed by the team. Arden Key will slot into his starting role opposite Maxx Crosby in an attempt to disrupt Patrick Mahomes as much as the Raiders defensive line did the first time they played the Chiefs in Week 5.