Raiders expect – After Jermod McCoy fell to the fourth round over concerns about a knee injury, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the team expects the rookie cornerback to be practicing and taking reps in training camp, even as his recovery remains a moving target.
The Raiders are aiming for a turning point this offseason: they expect Jermod McCoy to be healthy enough to work plenty during training camp.
McCoy’s path to the NFL looked different before the injury. Based on talent alone. the former Tennessee Volunteers cornerback had been viewed as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NFL draft. Instead. he slid from a potential Top 10 pick to the fourth round amid worries that his injured knee might never fully heal. The Raiders still took a chance, selecting him with the 101st overall pick.
That selection comes with a clear timetable question—because McCoy hasn’t been able to play. He missed the entire 2025 college football season after tearing an ACL while working out in the offseason. A year later, the Raiders are still being careful with him in Organized Team Activities. Even so, coach Klint Kubiak believes the rookie will be ready for the next step.
“I expect him to practice. I expect him to be on the field. It’s going to be a moving target with him, but we drafted him for a reason, drafted him to play, so I expect him to compete in camp and get plenty of reps,” Kubiak said.
The recovery has been anything but quick. The torn ACL set back McCoy’s timeline. and the Raiders have continued to take it slow with him in Organized Team Activities as he gets closer to a full workload. Still, there’s optimism that readiness in training camp isn’t just possible—it’s the expectation.
If McCoy can stay healthy, the Raiders believe the reward is real. Taking him in the fourth round has the feel of a potential steal, built on the hope that the long, slow recovery from his torn ACL is nearing the point where he can actually compete as a rookie.
Raiders Jermod McCoy NFL draft 2026 training camp ACL recovery Klint Kubiak Tennessee Volunteers Organized Team Activities
Knee injuries always linger… hope he makes it through camp.
So they “expect” him to practice, but it’s still a moving target?? Sounds like they drafted a guy that still can’t play yet. Raiders gonna Raider I guess.
ACL year out and they’re acting like he’ll be fine by camp lol. I’m not saying he won’t, but four rounds for someone who missed a whole season feels risky. Also isn’t ACL recovery like 2 years??
This makes me think they’re desperate for corner depth. Like if he’s not ready in camp then what, they just wait all season? I saw other people say he was gonna be a top 10 pick, so that drop makes me nervous. Hope Kubiak knows what he’s doing.