Should the Raiders start rookie OT Charles Grant in place of Kolton Miller?

The Las Vegas Raiders received even worse news than initially feared on injured left tackle Kolton Miller . In addition to a high-ankle sprain, Miller also suffered a hairline fracture, according to multiple reports. The Raiders placed him on IR, and his return-to-play timetable is longer than first expected.

The expectation is that veteran swing tackle Stone Forsythe will start in place of Miller . Head coach Pete Carroll recently called him the next-man-up. Carroll is inherently familiar with Forsythe, having previously coached him for multiple seasons with the Seattle Seahawks .

Forsythe's career trajectory doesn't inspire much confidence. Alternatively, the Raiders could consider starting rookie offensive tackle Charles Grant . Coach Carroll has acknowledged the possibility, challenging Grant to step up and push Forsythe for the gig.

Grant played extensively throughout the preseason, earning 113 snaps. The raw rookie from William & Mary struggled. He was credited with allowing seven pressures in pass protection. Grant looked worse as a run blocker, earning a grade of 55.6 from Pro Football Focus in that department.

In truth, Grant didn't look prepared for NFL action and that's okay. He was a late-blooming college prospect who developed at a small program. Starting Forsythe is the responsible choice. If Forsythe struggles though, Grant should receive opportunities to practice his way into the lineup.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Should the Raiders start Charles Grant for injured OT Kolton Miller?