Las Vegas Raiders veteran offensive tackle Kolton Miller is a leader his team will need if they are to make a push for the postseason.
Miller was ruled questionable for the Raiders' Week 11 showdown with the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday as he continues to heal from a shoulder injury that had him miss last week's game against the New York Jets.
After not participating in the team's Wednesday practice, he was limited on Thursday and Friday, a positive sign for Raider Nation as the presence of all the team captains will only improve their chances against a very good Dolphins team.
Raiders Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce said his offensive line's success is crucial with Miller on it.
“Obviously, since I’ve been here and even watching Kolton when he was in college, he’s a guy that doesn’t miss practice, doesn’t miss plays, doesn’t miss games," Pierce told reporters on Friday. "So, it’s very critical. I mean, he’s obviously a nucleus, he’s a captain, he’s a leader.
"He’s one of the best left tackles in football, in my opinion. Obviously, [when] we have him, we’re a better team. If we don’t, 'next man up' mentality.
"But you can just see the way he’s working this week that he wants to be out there. That first game against the Giants, the way he played was like: ‘Wow.’ When we get that every week from him and then that carries over to the rest of the offensive linemen, we’re a good group up front.”
Miller's absence against the Jets was just the fourth game missed in his entire six-year NFL career.
The Raiders captain has played and started in 88 games for the Silver and Black since the club selected him with the 15th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Miller was named one of nine team captains prior to the start of the 2023 season.
The Silver and Black will head out on the road to South Beach to take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, November. 19, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.
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