Outspoken McCormick’s patience pays off as he asserts himself as the Raiders starting running back

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) – At one point, honest McCormick could have just walked away.

Many others would have done just that.

But because McCormick persevered — getting hurt, being waived, being re-signed, being put seemingly forever on the practice squad — he’s now the Las Vegas Raiders starting running back after an arduous three-season trek.

“People know the journey I’ve been through, and it shows you that hard work and dedication pays off,” McCormick said. “It’s just being patient and being ready at all times. You never know what can happen.”

After going undrafted out of Texas-San Antonio, he signed with the Raiders in 2022, but just three weeks later he was on injured reserve, largely setting the tone for what was to come.

Little was expected to change this season, as McCormick was stuck on the practice squad with Zamir White and Alexander Mattison as the Raiders’ top two running backs to go with 10-year veteran Ameer Abdullah, who also occupies a roster spot.

Injuries to White and Mattison led to opportunities, and McCormick took full advantage to claim the starting job, which he will retain when the Raiders host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, even though Mattison is back from an ankle injury.

McCormick came to Las Vegas after leading Conference USA with 1,479 yards returning in 2021 with 15 touchdowns. McCormick was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year as he led the Roadrunners to the C-USA title.

McCormick used his straight-forward, hard-running style to breathe life into a position that has struggled most of the season.

White never came untracked and is now out for the season with a quadriceps injury. He rushed for 183 yards and averaged 2.8 yards a carry.

Mattison has played slightly better with 320 yards and a 3.3-yard average, but neither he nor White have made Raiders fans forget about Josh Jacobs, who signed with the Green Bay Packers in the offseason after five years with the organization. Jacobs has rushed for 1,053 yards on a 4.4-yard average entering Week 15.

McCormick probably isn’t the next Jacobs, but over the past three games he’s averaged 5.5 yards per carry. carry while gaining 175 yards. Last week 28-13 loss at Tampa BayMcCormick rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries.

Coach Antonio Pierce said that at the end of last season, McCormick asked what he had to do to get a shot and was told that he “had a good offseason of work.”

McCormick took that advice to heart, and his work in training camp became a talking point with the coaching staff. But they also believed that the likelihood of McCormick contributing immediately would be remote, and so much of these discussions became more backroom chatter.

And when cut day came and the Raiders had to reduce their roster to 53 players, McCormick was back on the practice squad waiting for that elusive chance.

“The one thing about him, he was ready,” Pierce said. “What we’ve seen in practice and what you’re seeing now in the game has been the consistent player who’s worked, who’s a grinder, has taken care of the opportunity.”

McCormick said having the coaches’ encouragement helped him, but also never stopped believing in himself.

A self-confidence that has only grown, which each carries.

“Everything feels like slow motion,” McCormick said. “The things we practice show up in the game. I’m able to recognize that and the more I take snaps, the more reps, I’m getting better and better, I’m getting stronger, I’m getting faster because I’ve adapted me played very well.”

Still no decision at QB

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell missed the past three days of practice because of a bruised left knee he suffered against the Buccaneers. He is listed as questionable.

If O’Connell doesn’t start, Desmond Ridder will get the call. He started 13 games for the Falcons last season.

“He’s getting better, though,” Pierce said Friday of O’Connell. “He’s on the mend and we’ll just take it all week and see as we get closer to Monday night.”

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