Las Vegas Raiders

Here's Nelson Agholor proving NFL players are still REALLY, REALLY freakin' tough ...

The Las Vegas Raiders receiver gruesomely dislocated his finger mid-game against the Chargers on Thursday ... but the dude barely missed any time over the gnarly injury!!

It all went down in the 3rd quarter of Las Vegas' loss to Los Angeles ... when Agholor dropped a pass and his hands came crashing down to the grass.

You can see in video of the incident, his whole body weight landed on his pinky ... and it looked like the digit snapped in half!!!

Agholor immediately knew something was wrong ... he waved his jacked-up finger to his sideline -- and trainers tended to him right away.

The craziest part about it all, though? HE RETURNED AFTER JUST ONE PLAY!!!

In fact, Agholor went on to record a couple more catches after trainers popped his finger back in place ... and the dude finished the night with a total of 49 receiving yards!

Jon Gruden's hat debacle on "Thursday Night Football" was the result of a practical joke played on him in the locker room -- so says the Raiders head coach.

Gruden caught hell on social media once fans realized he was wearing an "Oakland Raiders" hat on the sideline -- epic fail considering the Raiders just moved to Las Vegas!!

Social media clowned the 57-year-old for the error ... and the roar clearly grew so loud -- JG became aware of the cap problem in the 1st quarter and switched hats soon after.

"I apologize for not having the right hat on," Gruden told reporters. "Somebody played a pretty good trick on me."

So, who is this mysterious trickster? Gruden didn't name names -- but someone's ass is in the hot seat.

The thing is ... Gruden's headgear ended up being the LEAST of his worries against the Chargers -- 'cause the Raiders took an L they desperately couldn't afford to take.

Las Vegas' playoff hopes essentially rode on the game against LA ... but its defense struggled all night and the team lost in overtime, 30-27, to Justin Herbert's crew.

Gruden apologized for THAT as well ... telling reporters, "It's on me."

Ever seen a facemask with a FIST designed in the grill?!?

Las Vegas Raiders star lineman Trent Brown found one -- and rocked the hell out of it during pregame warmups before taking on the Indianapolis Colts.

The design is the same one used in Black Lives Matter imagery -- a closed, raised fist.

We know what you're thinking ... no, the facemask is not legal to use during the game -- so Brown swapped it out with a standard facemask by the time the game kicked off.

We've seen wild cut facemasks in the past -- but never one with a political statement weaved into the design!

The facemask looked awesome -- but it didn't provide the spark the Raiders needed ... they ended up getting blown out by the Colts in a 44 to 27 beatdown.

Well, this could be an issue.

Nearly the entire Las Vegas Raiders' starting defense has been placed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list ... after DE Clelin Ferrell tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.

At least 7 players -- including Lamarcus Joyner, Johnathan Abram, Maliek Collins, Johnathan Hankins, Isaiah Johnson, Arden Key and Kendal Vickers -- were placed on the list after being determined as close contacts to Ferrell this week.

But, it's not a lost cause for the Raiders just yet -- the players WILL be eligible to suit up Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs if they continue to test negative.

However, the batch of players will not likely be cleared to rejoin the team until Saturday at the earliest ... which will be tough as the Silver and Black prepare for Patrick Mahomes and Co.

Of course, the Raiders have had their fair share of fines from the league due to COVID-19 violations ... including head coach Jon Gruden, who has been hit with $100k and $150k penalties this season.

The rise in positive COVID-19 cases across the league forced the NFL to issue a memo to all 32 teams, requiring them to go into intensive protocols for the remainder of the season.

Under the required protocols -- which begin on Saturday -- all team meetings will be held virtually or in large spaces and masks or face shields must be worn at all times at the team facility.

Wanna see a guy tougher than you???

Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold smashed up his ribs so badly on Sunday, he was forced to go to the hospital -- but now, the dude's trying to play in a game just 7 days later!

Ingold had to be removed from the Raiders' win over the Chargers last weekend after he broke 2 ribs in a violent collision with an L.A. defender.

The injuries looked serious ... Alec posted a pic of him hooked up to a ton of wires at a local medical facility -- and everyone wondered if that would spell the end of his season.

Well, Ingold is deciding there's no chance in hell of that ... 'cause he's not only gunning to play Sunday against the Broncos -- HE WAS BACK AT PRACTICE WEDNESDAY!

The 24-year-old is known as one of the toughest dudes in the league ... but sheesh, man!

"He’s like the throwback guys," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said of Ingold to reporters Wednesday. "He will not come off the field. He insists on playing."

"He’s been cleared to play, and he did practice today. I’d be shocked if he’s not ready to play great on Sunday.”

Victoria's Secret model Josephine Skriver happens to be a hardcore Las Vegas Raiders fan.

She also couldn't attend the game this weekend because no fans were allowed at SoFi Stadium due to the whole COVID pandemic -- so she watched at home instead. In her undies.

AND, GUESS WHAT? THE RAIDERS WON!

The Silver & Black took on the Chargers in L.A. -- and for Raiders fans, this game was a big deal ... the rivalry goes back decades!

Skriver didn't want to miss it -- so she cleared her schedule, busted out her lucky outfit ... and the rest is history.

The Raiders ended up delivering the W in a 31 to 26 thriller -- and after the victory, she was pretty fired up.

"WE WON!!!," Skriver said afterward... "OMG OMG OMG HOLY ******."

The NFL just dropped the hammer on the Las Vegas Raiders for repeatedly violating COVID-19 protocols ... stripping the team of a draft pick and levying huge fines.

The league made the moves Thursday, according to multiple reports ... taking away Vegas' 6th-round pick in the 2021 draft and fining the team $500,000.

Head coach Jon Gruden was also hit with an additional $150K fine.

As for the rules the Raiders violated ... ESPN's Adam Schefter says there were several, including Gruden continually dropping his mask on the sideline.

The NFL, per Schefter, also punished the Raiders for players not properly wearing face coverings at a Darren Waller fundraiser event in September.

Schefter added the Raiders also allowed an unauthorized guest into their locker room earlier this season -- a big no-no in pandemic times.

Of course, this ain't the first time the Raiders were punished for violating coronavirus protocols ... back in Sept., Gruden and the team were fined for the coach not properly wearing a face-covering during games.

In October, Raiders players were hit with fines for the mask violations at Waller's event as well.

Raiders' star lineman Trent Brown has NOT been released from the hospital -- he's still being treated for a botched IV injection that occurred before Sunday's game.

Yeah, this is a big deal.

Brown was rushed to the hospital before the Raiders took on the Browns in Cleveland due a "mishap with his pre-game IV that caused air to enter his bloodstream," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Brown had missed the previous week's game due to a positive COVID test. Unclear if that's why Brown was receiving IV fluids on Sunday.

Air in the bloodstream is a serious and potentially lethal issue -- it's a condition called an air embolism and can "travel to your brain, heart, or lungs and cause a heart attack, stroke, or respiratory failure," according to Healthline.com.

So, again ... this is a very serious matter.

The team is optimistic about Brown's health -- but ProFootballTalk reported Monday morning that Brown is still in the hospital, where doctors are running more tests to make sure he's okay.

Brown's teammate, Derek Carr, said on Sunday the team was concerned about Brown -- and had prayed for a speedy recovery.

"We had no clue what was happening," the quarterback said. "All of a sudden, we come in, and they’re wheeling him out and I’m like, 'Bro, what is going on?'"

"It was crazy and so we prayed."

It's been a rough couple weeks for the Las Vegas offensive lineman ... he tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 21 -- and was forced to miss the Raiders' Week 7 game against the Buccaneers.

This is the NFL's 2nd notable medical mishap this season ... a Chargers doc accidentally punctured Tyrod Taylor's lung while trying to administer a pain-killing injection back in September.

The NFLPA has reportedly launched an investigation into the Brown incident.

No "Sunday Night Football" for Tom Brady this week ... the NFL has MOVED UP the Raiders vs. Bucs game to daytime in the wake of a possible COVID outbreak in Las Vegas.

The strategy makes sense ... at least one Raiders player has tested positive for COVID and there are concerns several more players may have been exposed.

So, for now, the league has shifted the game out of the prime time slot -- instead Raiders vs. Bucs will kick off at 1:05 PM PT.

That frees up the league to move another game into prime time -- Seahawks vs. Cardinals ... Russell Wilson vs. Kyler Murray!

Here's the logic ... there's a chance more Raiders could test positive and the league may have to make a last-minute decision about moving the game to another date.

But, they still want to have a game in that prime time Sunday night spot. Get it?

There don't seem to be any COVID concerns with the Seahawks or the Cardinals at the moment -- and there are big stars on both teams. It's a safe move. Smart.

If you've got Darren Waller on your fantasy team, breathe easy ... the tight end tells TMZ Sports he's DEFINITELY playing Sunday -- even though he's popped up on Las Vegas' injury report.

According to the Raiders, Waller did NOT practice on either Wednesday or Thursday with a knee issue ... and it's got A LOT of people concerned.

After all, Waller was a BEAST this past Monday ... helping fantasy players win their games with his 12-catch, 105-yard, 1-TD performance against the Saints.

But, Darren told us this week there's no need to run out and get another TE to replace him ... 'cause he says despite the practice DNPs -- he'll be ready for the Patriots this weekend.

"Everything's fine," Waller said. "Everything's fine. I will be playing on Sunday."

PHEW!!!

By the way, Darren ain't just giving back to your fantasy team with his talents ... he's also hosting a fundraiser next week for a great cause.

Waller -- whose struggles with sobriety have been well-documented -- is gunning to raise money to help youth avoid battles with drug and alcohol addiction.

"Greetings. Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponent's dreams come to die."

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis gave a helluva pump-up speech before the first practice at the new Allegiant Stadium on Friday ... introducing the team's state-of-the-art facility and revealing its official 'Star Wars'-themed nickname.

"My father always said that the greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Well today, that future really starts."

Of course, Friday marked the first time the team practiced inside the new stadium ... which, might we add, is really badass.

Davis hit the players with some inspirational words and a number of cliches ... but overall, the guys have to be jacked to get to play in this thing.

The NFL owner said the stadium was "built on the backs of thousands of players coaches, administrators, and fans, who for the past 60 years have proudly worn the Silver and Black ... adding, "This is our field of dreams. This is our house."

"The stadium's personality will be defined by you, so take pride every time you step on this field wearing those famed black jerseys and silver helmets. You are the Raiders. There will be many personal accomplishments out here on this field."

There's more ... it's good stuff!!!

"Someone on this field today will make the first tackle, somebody will score the first touchdown and somebody will make the first interception, but most importantly ... it is what we do as a team."

What sucks is that fans won't be able to experience the epic Death Star until next season (maybe) ... but at least the games are on schedule to happen on location in 2020.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden just gave a big surprise to the men and women who put together their new stadium ... thanking the workers and giving a pump-up speech to finish strong.

"I just had to tell you, the stadium looks freaking awesome," Gruden says. "It's the greatest thing I've ever seen."

BTW -- If you haven't seen Allegiant Stadium yet ... it's pretty damn cool and gives off badass Star Wars Death Star vibes.

"I just wanted to congratulate all you workers for an incredible accomplishment during adversity."

Naturally, Gruden went full football guy in his motivational message to finish the job strong.

"It's the 2-minute drill. You've done 99% of the work, maybe 97% of the work. I just challenge you to finish like a champion."

The personal video marked a huge milestone for Allegiant Stadium -- it was the first time the video board and sound system were used at the same time ... so a pretty monumental moment for the workers.

The stadium is set to be ready to go in time for the 2020 NFL season ... if that happens.

Gruden finished the vid by reminding everyone to keep wearing their masks ... after all, we ARE still in a global pandemic.

"He was trying to move a trailer or something -- move furniture or something," Ruggs Jr. told AL.com on Monday, "and the trailer just kind of pinned him against a car or a wall or something."

Papa Ruggs says his son -- who was the first receiver selected in April's NFL Draft over guys like Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb -- suffered some sort of cut/gash/wound to his leg.

Ruggs Jr., though, added he believes his son is feeling "OK" despite the ailment.

"It was just like a little open wound on his leg, a little incision," Ruggs III's father said. "Like something had stuck him right there on his thigh a little bit."

"With this COVID-19 stuff still going on, they wouldn’t let anybody in [to see the doctor],” Ruggs Jr. added. "He’s just having to walk on crutches. Not putting as much pressure on it."

For the Raiders' part, they said in a statement to The Athletic on Monday, "The #Raiders are aware of a report regarding an off-field injury to Henry Ruggs III. Respecting Henry’s right to medical privacy, the team will not be commenting on the report."

Jon Gruden dropped in and surprised an online Univ. of Tennessee stats class this week ... and it was hilarious -- mostly because the guy absolutely sucks at using Zoom!!

The Raiders head coach -- who has an affinity for the Vols (remember #Grumors?) -- surprised a group of students Thursday that included star RB Ty Chandler ... but he didn't exactly pull off the drop-in without a hitch.

As soon as JG busted in the class ... his camera wasn't working and students couldn't see him. Later, the 56-year-old had a hell of a time trying to sign out.

But, hey! In between all of that -- Gruden's visit was cool as hell!!!

Gruden ribbed Chandler (a 2021 NFL Draft prospect), provided messages of encouragement for the young students and even got a "Spider 2 Y Banana" shoutout from the teacher. Good times, right?

As for why this happened ... Chuckie's always had a great relationship with UT -- he once was a grad assistant at the school and his wife was actually a former Vols cheerleader.