The Las Vegas Raiders could see running back Josh Jacobs make his return to action just in time for their Week 4 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jacobs has not featured for the Raiders since their dramatic Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens due to a minor ankle injury. He missed all of the team's scheduled practices last week due to the injury and wound up being ruled out for the team's home matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden did note on Monday of his optimism that Jacobs would be back in practice by this week. And after a long wait, the third-year running back did make his long-awaited return to practice on Thursday.

This is quite a promising sign for Jacobs' potential availability for the Raiders' upcoming Monday Night Football clash with the Chargers.

The Raiders sure will be keeping a close watch on Jacobs' work rate in practice in the coming days. However, if the Raiders elect to keep him out for the matchup against the Chargers, then they are expected to once again turn to the formidable one-two punch of Peyton Barber and Kenyan Drake. The two running backs combined for 199 yards from scrimmage in Las Vegas' 31-28 overtime home win over Miami.

In the big picture, the Raiders may soon be faced with a notable dilemma at the running back position. As backups Barber and Drake each have found potent success as of late, running back Jalen Richard could soon be added into the mix as well. He is currently on the injured reserve list due to a foot injury, but he did return to practice on Thursday.

As mentioned, the Raiders are set for the key clash with the Chargers in Week 4, where they will look to open up the season with a 4-0 record for the first time since their 2002 campaign.