Donald Penn Reportedly Will End Raiders Holdout as Early as Tuesday

Oakland Raiders offensive lineman Donald Penn is reportedly expected back at practice as early as Tuesday.Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reported the news Monday, citing league sources who said Penn is expected to end a holdout that has lasted 25 days. He missed the entirety of the team's training camp in Napa, California, in an effort to bolster his 2017 salary of $5.95 million."That isn't going to happennot yet at least, as negotiations may pick up once Penn returnsbut he will likely get that salary guaranteed for at least this season," Tafur wrote.According to Tafur, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie stressed he wouldn't negotiate with a player unless he was at campwhich also suggests negotiations could commence once Penn is back with the team.The 2017 campaign will be the final season of Penn's currenttwo-year deal, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.While he missed training camp, it is typically a less important endeavor for a 34-year-old veteran than a young player looking to make the roster. Penn still has two preseason games to help him prepare for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 10, and Tafur noted he worked with private offensive line coach Duke Manyweather while he was holding out.Penn, a two-time Pro Bowler, is an important part of a line tasked with keeping quarterback Derek Carr upright and opening holes for running back Marshawn Lynch.Pro Football Focus underscored just how talented the Utah State product is up front:With Penn reportedly heading back soon, the Raiders will look to build on last season's impressive showing.Football Outsidersranked the offensive line as the 11th-best run-blocking group and the best pass-blocking unit in the league.
Click here to read full news..