Raiders Linebacker Germaine pratt’s Future in Question after Bench Decision
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt did not travel with the team for their Week 5 game against the Indianapolis colts and was inactive for the contest, a decision head coach Pete Carroll revealed was not injury-related but a strategic choice to evaluate other players at the position. The unexpected benching raises questions about Pratt’s long-term future with the team after just months with the association.
pratt signed with the Raiders as a free agent in June following his release from the cincinnati Bengals. While initially expected to contend for a significant role in a crowded linebacker room, Pratt’s performance through the frist four games-225 snaps-prompted the coaching staff to explore other options. This situation impacts not only Pratt’s career trajectory but also the Raiders’ efforts to solidify their defensive unit. The team will likely continue to assess it’s linebacker depth, potentially leading to further roster adjustments.
According to Pro Football Focus, Pratt currently holds a 56.7 overall grade, with a particularly low 48.0 grade in run defense, ranking 114th out of 132 qualifying linebackers. His coverage statistics also reveal vulnerabilities, allowing a 71.4% completion rate and an 85.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
Following Sunday’s loss to the Colts,Carroll stated,”Just decided to go with the other guys,” when questioned about Pratt’s absence,as reported by Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The decision to leave Pratt at home suggests a significant level of dissatisfaction with his play and potentially signals a diminishing role within the team. The fact that Pratt did not travel with the team following the demotion indicates he was unhappy with the decision.
