REPORT: Aqib Talib OUT for game vs. Raiders

In what is clearly very big news, Jesse Palmer of NFL.com is reporting that Denver star cornerback Aqib Talib has been ruled OUT for Sunday’s game against Oakland.

Per sources, #broncos Aqib Talib (back) will not play Sunday vs the #raiders.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 4, 2016

While Denver still has elite cornerback Chris Harris Jr. as well as talented youngster Bradley Roby, Talib was a matchup nightmare for many players.

Normally tasked with shadowing an opponent’s #2 wide receiver, Talib has the size and athleticism to be a top tier #1 corner on any other team.

That created problems in that the majority of teams do not have two true #1 wide receivers. With Talib out, Crabtree gains a boost in that he will most likely be matched up with the 5’11” Roby, rather than Talib’s 6’1″ frame.

The key player in all this will be Seth Roberts. Roberts, Oakland’s #3 wide receiver, will now be facing Kayvon Webster or Lorenzo Doss.

Webster is still dealing with an injury that has kept him sidelined alongside Talib, and may be doubtful for the game. Doss is a relative unknown, a former fifth-round draft pick who has one tackle on the season.

With Harris sure to shadow Amari Cooper on every snap, it is up to Crabtree and Roberts to play major roles on Sunday if the Raiders are to have a shot at the win.