Raiders’ Atkinson makes case for roster with 2 TDs vs. Cardinals
George Atkinson III found the expressway Friday night, and if he keeps doing that, it’s going to be hard for the Raiders to keep the running back off the 53-man roster.
With the Cardinals’ defense leaning one way in the preseason opener, Atkinson bounced a running play outside, making a defender miss.
When receiver Joe Hansley took out another defender with a block, Atkinson had reached the right sideline, the expressway.
The 53-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was only the start for the running back, who has spent the past two years on Oakland’s practice squad.
Atkinson added a 35-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter of the Raiders’ 31-10 win and finished with five carries for 97 yards.
Atkinson came into Friday’s game fifth on the depth chart, but got a break when rookie Jalen Richard couldn’t play because of a sore knee.
Running backs coach Bernie Parmalee “really emphasized in the offseason reading the defense and knowing the blocks before they happen,” Atkinson said.
Rookie quarterback Connor Cook did a nice job with short passes in his debut, and finished 7-for-11 for 71 yards.
Linebacker Korey Toomer followed a good camp with a game-high seven tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.
Undrafted outside linebacker James Cowser and sixth-round pick Cory James had five tackles each. …