Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders: Atkinson III closes preseason with kick return TD

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

George Atkinson III closed the Oakland Raiders preseason with a kick return touchdown.

Oakland Raiders running back George Atkinson III was having a nightmare of a preseason finale on Thursday night. Making crucial errors in a game where Atkinson was competing with promising rookie Jalen Richard.

Atkinson III struggled for most of the night, fumbling once and dropping a sure touchdown pass from Connor Cook. A bad night for GA3 in the backfield coming at the worst possible time in the final preseason game of the year.

Those bad plays all were quickly forgotten for a moment late in the fourth quarter as Atkinson III made the play of the game. Taking back a kickoff for an 80-yard touchdown return, placing the Raiders back in the game with one play. Connor Cook failing a two-point conversion after the touchdown as the Raiders fell just short of a comeback generated by Atkinson’s big return.

Atkinson went back for the return with 1:15 left on the clock, adding some late drama to the final minutes of the preseason. A kick return that could keep Atkinson on the roster as the coaches make their final roster decisions this weekend.

Atkinson also added a short yardage touchdown to his performance, making up for the blunders in the passing game. The aforementioned fumble and drop serving as two miscues that could keep him on the bubble despite his big kick return.

Ladies and gentlemen, @Raiders RB @georgeatk3…

80 YARD KICKOFF RETURN TD! #SEAvsOAK https://t.co/tHlalyvYoz

— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2016

From one yard out, @georgeatk3 punches it in! #SEAvsOAK pic.twitter.com/kABaMDszHa

— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) September 2, 2016

Atkinson now has a handful of big preseason plays, but the question will be if the Raiders are as high on his upside as they are their rookie running backs. Fifth round pick DeAndre Washington and UDFA Jalen Richard both appearing to be locks to make the roster. A factor that will complicate GA3’s odds of making the roster.

Where Atkinson could find his spot on the roster is at returner and special teams. Which makes Atkinson’s kickoff return touchdown a play that could land him on the 53-man squad. If the Raiders want an impact player in the return game, Atkinson could be the guy. After years of struggles to find big plays, it might just be the right move to go with GA3.