Raiders Coach Carroll, QB Smith Return Seattle Preseason After Johnson Injury

The Las Vegas Raiders face a significant challenge as safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered a broken fibula during a scrimmage, potentially sidelining him for the season, though coach Pete Carroll remains optimistic about an in-season return. Johnson, a journeyman veteran, had been carving out a role in the Raiders' secondary under Carroll's rebuild efforts. To address the depth issue at safety, the Raiders are reportedly considering bringing in experienced players like former Pro Bowler Quandre Diggs, who played under Carroll in Seattle and was recently cleared from a season-ending injury. Carroll, who led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title and coached there for 14 seasons, is returning to Seattle with the Raiders for their preseason opener, accompanied by quarterback Geno Smith, who revitalized his career in Seattle. Both Carroll and Smith reflect on their transformative years in Seattle, emphasizing the continuity of their coaching philosophy and the importance of competing and treating players well. Carroll remains bullish on the Raiders' secondary potential, noting offseason additions like Jeremy Chinn, Jamal Adams, and Eric Stokes as part of the team's evolving defensive unit.