The Facts: Jacobs is expected to report to the Raiders before their season opener in three weeks, multiple league sources have indicated. But with only a few practices remaining before the club takes the field against the Broncos on Sept. 10, time is running out for Jacobs to be fully prepared for the rigors of an NFL game.

Diehards Line:Jacobs has been away from the club all offseason and training camp after he and the Raiders failed to come to an agreement on a long-term contract. If and when he returns, he will play either on the terms of the $10.1 million franchise tag or a modified one-season salary. HC Josh McDaniels did not have an update on the situation, but he did say Sunday that he believes Jacobs could stand to get some practice time under his belt. “I think that it’s important for every player,” McDaniels said. “This is the National Football League, so it’s not easy to go out there and just play games and do it at the speed and level that you want to do it at, unless you’ve really kind of had enough opportunity to get yourself ready to do that.” Jacobs is a proven worker who keeps himself in tiptop shape. But there is a difference between being in great physical shape and being ready to play extensively in a pro football game. While NFL practices no longer replicate actual games in terms of the physicality of playing running back, dynamics like reading the blocking, hitting the right holes and making defenders miss still remain game-like. Still, don't get lost in the sauce here. Jacobs' planning to return is great news. We'll continue to watch for more.