HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders placed starting defensive end Clelin Ferrell and top slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, five days ahead of their Sunday night home game against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Raiders already have another defensive starter on the reserve/COVID-19 list in linebacker Cory Littleton, who was placed there on Thursday and missed this past Sunday's 37-12 victory over the Denver Broncos.
It was unknown Tuesday whether Ferrell and Joyner tested positive for the coronavirus or were deemed close contacts to someone who did test positive.
The Chiefs (8-1) suffered their lone loss of the season to the Raiders, 40-32, at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11. Kansas City placed three players, including starting offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
The Raiders (6-3), meanwhile, are coming off their best defensive effort of the season, having racked up four interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble, in addition to limiting the Broncos to no yards in the third quarter. Ferrell had a tackle for a loss and a QB hit, and Joyner had five tackles and a pass defensed.
Joyner's 46 tackles this season rank third on the team, while three of Ferrell's 19 tackles have been for a loss. If Joyner and Ferrell are out against the Chiefs, Nevin Lawson is expected to play nickel corner and either Carl Nassib or Arden Key will start at defensive end, opposite Maxx Crosby, who has a team-high six sacks.
The Raiders had a scheduled prime-time game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 flexed out of the slot and into an afternoon kickoff when all five of Las Vegas' offensive linemen went on the reserve/COVID-19 list during the week leading up to the game.