When Khalil Mack plays his first NFL game in the Buffalo area since leaving the University at Buffalo in 2014, a familiar face won’t have to travel far to watch from the stands.

LeDarius Mack, Khalil’s younger brother, is a junior linebacker for the Bulls. After spending his first two collegiate years at a junior college in Florida, he joined UB for the 2017 season. LeDarius is redshirting this year, trying to learn from his NFL superstar older brother along the way.

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Why the Raiders won’t miss Marshawn Lynch against the Bills Mack didn’t want to talk about his return to the Buffalo area when approached in the locker room Wednesday – it’s been reported he’s distanced himself from some he associated with there – but he’s by far and away the best player to ever come from the school. When the Raiders (3-4) play the Bills (4-2) on Sunday, the person currently at UB he’s closest to will be able to learn in person.

“It’s imitation, you know?” LeDarius said over the phone Tuesday. “Basically just studying everything and processing and trying to use it to my benefit.”

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The Bulls play at Akron on Saturday morning. The team will return in plenty of time for Sunday’s 1 p.m. EST game at New Era Field in Orchard Park, about 30 minutes from the UB campus.

LeDarius has seen Khalil play in person five or six times in his 55-game career, he said, most recently in Week 12 last season against the Panthers. The Raiders won at home, 35-32, and Mack recorded six tackles and a sack of Cam Newton.

Mack expressed his displeasure for UB not initially offering his brother a scholarship in a February tweet, saying he kept LeDarius a secret so his alma mater could grab him.

Kept my lil brother a secret for UB…unfortunately they don't feel he's worth a scholarship 😴🤐 just wait😉 — Khalil Mack (@52Mack_) February 14, 2017

In the end, LeDarius ended up with the Bulls, now tasked with making his own mark at a school where his brother certainly did. Mack wore No. 46 in college, but LeDarius is sporting No. 52, big brother’s number in which he won 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“Honestly just all work right now for me,” LeDarius said when asked about making a name for himself. “I try to attack everything the best way I can at 1,000 miles per hour and if I make a mistake, I allow the coaches to critique that and I jot that down and I try to do everything as I’m being coached up, but I want to do it as fast as possible.

The two talk often, and Mack dishes “a lot” of advice to his younger brother on how to improve his own game.

It’ll be hard to avoid comparisons, especially with the same looks, last name, number and position, but LeDarius doesn’t seem too worried about living up to Khalil’s standard while he prepares to see the field in 2018 for the Bulls.

“I’m just grinding, honestly,” LeDarius said, “trying to attack everything with my best.”

“I think he’s got a quicker first step than his older brother does,” said Najja Johnson, Mack’s former teammate who coaches at UB now. “I don’t know if he’s as strong as Khalil was at this time.”

The last time the brothers were together, LeDarius said, was around Father’s Day when Khalil visited Buffalo to help LeDarius move into his dorm.

He’s looking forward to seeing big brother since it’s been a couple months, with LeDarius getting settled at his new home and Khalil crafting an encore to his standout 2016 here in Oakland.

While it may be just a business trip and nothing nostalgic for the Raiders’ best defensive player, little brother will be in the stands hoping he puts on a show.

“Our relationship is like any typical brothers,” LeDarius said. “We argue, but we love each other to death and I’m crazy about him just like he’s crazy about me.”

THURSDAY INJURY REPORT

— Cornerbacks David Amerson (foot) and Gareon Conley (shin) did not practice Thursday. If Amerson can’t play at cornerback, Sean Smith is the likely starter alongside TJ Carrie, with Dexter McDonald as the nickel back. Conley has missed the last four games.

— Free safety Karl Joseph did not practice with a groin injury a day after being limited. Erik Harris is listed as the backup strong safety on the depth chart, though Keith McGill and Shalom Luani are also possibilities if Joseph can’t play.

— Punter Marquette King showed up on the injury report with a groin injury and was limited. Also limited were linebackers Cory James (knee), Marquel Lee (ankle) and Nicholas Morrow (ankle), tackle Marshall Newhouse (foot) and tight end Lee Smith (knee).