Insider: Still a “Significant Chance” Raiders Will Be Without Darren Waller on Sunday

If the Raiders are going to beat the Chiefs on Sunday, conventional thinking would indicate that they will need tight end Darren Waller on the field.

There was optimism in the news at the beginning of the week that Waller would play, but we warned that his trajectory at the end of last week was not an encouraging sign for this week. Now according to Sports Illustrated’s Hondo Carpenter, who appeared on Raider Nation Radio 920 AM’s Morning Tailgate With Clay Baker, Waller is still very much at risk of missing Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

“I think it’s 50-50 this week,” Sports Illustrated’s Hondo Carpenter said of Waller’s chances of playing this week. “That’s just what I’m hearing from people in the building… so that tells you there is a significant chance he’s not playing.”

Kevin Bolinger on Twitter: “Darren Waller and Carl Nassib were not at the portion of practice open to the media. Denzel Perryman was seen walking off field before stretching. He did not return while we were there but it was only stretching period. May have come back later. #RaiderNation / Twitter”

Darren Waller and Carl Nassib were not at the portion of practice open to the media. Denzel Perryman was seen walking off field before stretching. He did not return while we were there but it was only stretching period. May have come back later. #RaiderNation

Even if Waller does play on Sunday, it sounds like he won’t be anywhere near 100 percent. That means the Raiders’ offense will need to look to other players regardless of Waller’s official status.

One player to watch will be DeSean Jackson. If he is healthy and can play more than a handful of snaps this week, the offense might have a fighting chance. Remember, the Kansas City defense has feasted on the Raiders in the past when they don’t have to worry about a deep threat.

So the health update on Jackson might be as important as any at this point.

twitter: @raidersbeat