By Morris Phillips

These days, the Oakland Raiders would have to be termed an improving club lucky to have a few, old wise contributors, and sorely in need of its young guys to get in step.

So the news, that Justin Tuck will undergo season-ending surgery on his torn pectoral muscle means the veteran will be dearly missed, and Mario Edwards–in his second year—needs to get up to speed quick.

That’s the simple reality for a team that’s been down too long, desperate to win, and possessing some big opportunities on its immediate horizon. Plus, Tuck may not return in 2016, and Edwards hopefully will be in team’s plans for years to come. But, given Tuck’s leadership and locker room presence, the transition won’t be easy.

“He’s a leader of the team, and having that type of injury is difficult,” Khalil Mack said of Tuck. “It’s one that he has remained positive about. We’ve all been positive with him and let him know that we still want to see him around. Having his leadership is really more important than anything.”

Edwards isn’t the pass rusher that the 11-year veteran Tuck has been, but he’s an emerging run stopper that has played extensively this season, especially last week against the Broncos. Edwards recorded a half sack of Peyton Manning and played on approximately two-thirds of the defensive snaps.

Aldon Smith, just five games into his stay in Oakland, and Khalil Mack, by default an essential piece in just his second season, will be counted on to do the lion’s share of the pass rushing in Tuck’s absence, so the Raiders aren’t in a desperate situation.

But they need to see some growth from the young roster now with a critical AFC West contest at San Diego up next.

The Raiders have just one divisional game under their belt—the loss to Denver—and five remaining. But after this week’s tangle with the Chargers, they won’t see another AFC West opponent until December 6 when the Chiefs visit the O.co Coliseum. Making sure those final four divisional battles mean something starts with getting a win against San Diego.

And without Tuck, and a secondary held together by matchsticks and veteran presence Charles Woodson, the Raiders will have their hands full with Philip Rivers, the best quarterback they’ll see all year outside of Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers. The Chargers rank 2^nd in the NFL in passing at 318 yards per game.

Offensively, the Raiders need more growth from their youthful core of playmakers. David Carr, continues to grow, but he hasn’t avoided the game changing turnovers, or mounted scoring drives when in the second half in a close game outside his outstanding finish against the Ravens.

Latavius Murray needs more consistency and polish to his game, and he needs to regain his swagger missing since his tough afternoon in Chicago. The Raiders rank 27^th in the NFL, averaging just 90 yards per game rushing. And if Amari Cooper wants to turn into a full-fledged superstar now rather than later that would help too.

The health and production of Michael Crabtree and Marcel Reece remains a critical indicator as well. Both veterans are among the NFL’s best at moving the chains and Carr has shown ability to get both the ball.

Did we mention the Chargers’ youthful defense has been vulnerable in the middle of the field despite the presence of Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle and inside linebacker Man’ti Teo?

The 2-3 Chargers have allowed nearly 27 points per game, which ranks 23^rd, and are no doubt smarting after letting Michael Vick pull out Monday’s game in the fourth quarter.