Oakland Raiders with big handicap vs Kansas Chiefs

Aug 22, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) takes the snap from offensive lineman Rodney Hudson (61) in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders will likely go into one of the nastiest rivalries in the NFL with big handicap. That big handicap as about 6’2″, 300 pounds and he’s the anchor of the Raiders’ offensive line. It looks like center Rodney Hudson will miss a second consecutive game due to a lingering right ankle sprain.

After being limited in practice the first part of the week, Hudson was downgraded to doubtful didn’t practice Friday. Instead, he worked out with one of the team trainers on a different field. It now looks like Hudson will miss the opportunity to play against the team that drafted him No. 55 overall pick in 2011.

Of course, the Raiders signed him as a free agent this past offseason to a huge contract. Tony Bergstrom is expected to start against the Chiefs if Hudson is unable to play. Not having Hudson for this big rivalry game is going to hurt the Raiders big-time on Sunday.

You can start with the running game as the Raiders struggled to run the ball in the two games Hudson didn’t play this year already. Then you have the problems with the center exchange between Bergstrom and quarterback Derek Carr in the win over the Tennessee Titans. Carr fumbled twice, losing one that led to the Titans going ahead late in the fourth quarter.

With the playoffs on the line and the Chiefs now a factor, Sunday’s game is huge for both teams. Plus you have the bitterest rivalries in NFL history with Hudson wanting to his old team. So you know if there’s any way he can play in this game, he will but that doesn’t seem likely now.