Waller, Jacobs named to Pro Bowl roster
Tight end Darren Waller and running back Josh Jacobs, both among the statistical leaders at their positions in the AFC, were selected to represent the Raiders in this year’s virtual Pro Bowl.
Waller is the A FC’s second- leading receiver among tight ends, trailing only the Chiefs Travis Kelce, who was named as the starter. He has 93 receptions for 967 yards and eight touchdowns and is only the third receiver in franchise history to have two seasons of 90- plus receptions, joining Tim Brown (four) and Todd Christensen (two).
Jacobs, one of three running backs selected, is the third- leading rusher in the AFC with 907 yards in 245 carries with 10 touchdowns. Derrick Henry of Tennessee is first with 1,679 yards and 15 touchdowns and Nick Chubb of Cleveland second with 931 yards and 10 scores. Both Henry and Chubb were also named to the AFC team.
Players were selected through voting by fans, coaches and players, with balloting closing on Friday. Activities were originally scheduled to be held in Las Vegas with Allegiant Stadium as the hub, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was switched to a “virtual”
experience that includes a week-long series of matchups featuring celebrities participating in the video game Madden 21 as well as the Pro Bowl players facing off in Madden 21.
Waller is one of the NFL’s hottest receivers of late, with 29 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games. Two events set the course for Waller, a wide receiver at Georgia Tech, to be a Pro Bowl player.
The first was moving to tight end. During a conference call Monday with reporters, Waller recalled being told by a coach “you could be a good receiver but you can be a great tight end.”
The second, and far more important life event, was getting sober after years of drug and alcohol abuse dating back to his days as a teenager. Waller has been sober more than three years now and uses his platform to promote the “Darren Waller Foundation” to help youths struggling with addiction.
“It’s pretty unbelievable. Honestly, I didn’t think anything like this would ever happen,” Waller said. “This was never my goal. I never really had big goals. Just to be here today is definitely a blessing. I’m pretty speechless right now, reflecting on life and everything that I’ve been through.”
Upon moving to tight end, Waller began watching video of other tight ends, with the Chiefs’ Kelce near the top of the list.
“I was telling him how I was watching his tape and he was telling me he was watching mine,” Waller said. “I felt that was a cool thing, to talk to him for a couple of minutes.”
Jacobs and the Raiders running game has struggled of late He had 26 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown in a 30-27 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and his last breakout game was 121 yards on 23 carries on Nov. 15 against the Denver Broncos. Jacobs also has 33 receptions this season for 238 yards.
Among the Raiders who had strong seasons but were not selected were center Rodney Hudson and place kicker Daniel Carlson. Hudson, a threetime Pro Bowl pick in 2016, 2017 and 2019, was beaten out by Pittsburgh’s Maurkice Pouncy (starter) and Ryan Clark of the Indianapolis Colts. Baltimore’s Justin Tucker was named as the place kicker.
Carlson is tied for the AFC lead with 125 points and is 28 of 32 in field goal attempts. He has hit all four his field goal tries from 50 yards and beyond, including two from 44 yards. ERIK HARRIS ADDED TO
GROW I NG COVI D - 19 R E - SERVE LIST >> Safety Erik Harris became the third Raiders defensive back in three days to be placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, joining Daryl Worley and Isaiah Johnson.
Worley went on the list on Friday, while Johnson was isolated starting Monday.
It remains to be seen who the Raiders will have available when they host the Miami Dolphins Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium. Cornerback Damon Arnette (concussion) missed the last two games, while safety Johnathan Abram also missed the last game with a concussion. Cornerback Nevin Lawson was ill and did not play in a 30-27 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Raiders hope to get rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III off the COVID-19 list this week and have him available to face Miami.