Raiders WRs hurting, putting spotlight on Waller
Darren Waller was front and center Friday, speaking to a largely British press corps after the Raiders practiced at The Grove in Watford, England, in preparation for their Week 5 game against the Chicago Bears.
And while it seems like a big request to ask Waller to do more than he already has, given his status as the NFL’s leading receiver among tight ends, that may be the case Sunday against Chicago at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Tyrell Williams was listed as questionable with a foot injury. But given Williams didn’t practice at all during the week, it’s a “questionable” designation that could be shaded more toward “unlikely.” J.J. Nelson, another wide receiver, didn’t practice, was also listed as questionable and has been a source of frustration in terms of availability to to coach Jon Gruden.
If Williams and Nelson can’t play — Dwayne Harris is also listed as questionable but his duties are more special-teams oriented — it would leave the Raiders with a wide receiving corps of rookie fifth-round pick Hunter Renfrow, recent trade acquisition Trevor Davis and rookie Keelan Doss.
All of which points toward Waller being flexed outside more often and leaving more in-line duties to rookie Foster Moreau and Derek Carrier among the tight ends.
Not that Waller, who leads NFL tight ends with 33 receptions for 320 yards, is going to change his approach. He’s had a one-day-ata-time philosophy since confronting issues with addiction and that extends to football as well.
“I can go in expecting to receive the ball more, but if I go in pressing or feeling like I already have to do more that may give off the assumption I have to do something different than I already do,” Waller said said at a live-streamed press conference. “My game is going to be my game and if the ball comes to me, that’s fine . . . I’m going to just take it on a play to play basis and I feel like the young guys we’ve got at receiver will really open some people’s eyes.”
Gruden addressed the possibility of being without Williams and Nelson and promised wide receivers would get their looks.
“We’re not going to throw the ball to all the tight ends and backs because a couple guys are hurt,” Gruden said. “We’ve got capable players, we’ll see who’s available and we’ll use who is available.”
Renfrow, with 11 receptions for 89 yards, has played 120 snaps, the second-most among wide receivers behind Williams’ 226. Williams has 17 receptions for 216 yards and a touchdown reception in each of the first four games. Nelson played extensively in only one game (Minnesota) and Doss has played 18 snaps in three games and has one reception.