Authentic Athletix

OAKLAND, Calif. — Whatever confidence Mario Edwards Jr. carried into last season, whatever hope he had to come into his own, was stifled before the year began. The Raiders defensive tackle suffered a hip injury in the first quarter of the first exhibition game. Just like that, he was sidelined. He missed the rest of the preseason. He missed the first 14 games of the regular season. Now, here Edwards is again, another offseason on which to build. His confidence appears renewed

Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. wasn’t given his due coming out of college, and many still don’t realize how good he is, or can be. After officially being activated for Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie wasn’t shy about what he felt the 22-year-old defensive end’s return means, per the San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s an important player for us. Make no bones about it, he is a stud. He jumps out on tape and w

ALAMEDA — The Raiders are hopeful defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. will make his debut on Christmas Eve. Edwards, still in the 21-day window where he can practice but is not counted against the roster while on injured reserve, made it through a week of practice but needs another week to be ready for a game. “We’ll get him ready for next week,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said Friday. “I mean, there’s always a chance, but in all likelihood, we’ll hold off. The reality is he’s ha