Despite injuries and quarterback changes, the Raiders look onward following loss in Cincinnati

As the game transpired in Cincinnati, it was clear that health wasn’t in the Raiders’ favor in the 41-24 loss to the Bengals.

Already coming in the game down Andre James with an ankle injury, three other offensive linemen went down with ankle injuries in Kolton Miller, Andrus Peat and Cody Whitehair.

Then there were cornerback Nate Hobbs and tight end Harrison Bryant who, in a bizarre twist of fate, also went down with ankle injuries.

While the injury bug was chomping down, Head Coach Antonio Pierce refused to make excuses following the defeat.

“We’re just playing younger and younger, just keep getting younger and younger. More opportunities for somebody else to step up,” Pierce said postgame. “You’re a pro football player, a professional. We talked about that last night, having opportunities and when you get them, you’ve got to be prepared.

“Everybody wants to play. Regardless of how it is or where it goes, it’s just the nature of the beast. That’s what’s happening to us right now. Nobody feels sorry for us and we don’t feel sorry for ourselves. We got out there with 11 and do our best.”

The biggest obstacle for the Raiders was Joe Burrow, as the QB kept plays alive in the pocket to stay on the field. The Bengals offense had the ball for nearly 35 minutes with Burrow completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for a career-high five touchdowns.

“I’ve got a whole week to figure that out and we’ve got to do a better job as a staff,” Pierce said of the team’s defensive showing. “Today what were they, four for five? … Again, high expectations for the defense and obviously, we’re not playing well enough.”