Raiders LT Donald Penn to miss playoff game with knee injury

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Raiders will be without star left tackle Donald Penn for their playoff opener against Houston.

The Raiders said Friday that Penn would be inactive after injuring his left knee in the regular-season finale against Denver.

That will be a big loss for a team already going into the game with a third-string quarterback at the helm. Rookie Connor Cook will be the first quarterback ever to make his starting debut in a playoff game with starter Derek Carr out with a broken leg and backup Matt McGloin limited by a left shoulder injury.

Penn allowed just one sack all season protecting Carr’s blind side, according to Pro Football Focus. But that sack was costly as it led to Carr’s broken leg on Dec. 24 against Indianapolis. Penn is one of the most durable players in the league with his streak of 160 consecutive regular-season games played tied with Cleveland’s Joe Thomas for the longest active streak for an NFL offensive lineman.

“I did everything I could 2 play tomorrow I mean everything in tears right now haven’t missed a game…