Raiders Are “Optimistic” Darren Waller Will Play This Week (But Don’t Count on it Yet)

If the Raiders are going to travel to Arrowhead Stadium and beat the Chiefs this weekend, the job will probably require a healthy Darren Waller.

Waller missed the Washington game last week due to a knee injury, but there is some optimism that he’ll be back this week.

Jeremy Fowler on Twitter: “Raiders TE Darren Waller (knee) is optimistic about a potential return this week vs the Chiefs, per source. Las Vegas will see how the week goes but team hopeful he’s making progress. / Twitter”

Raiders TE Darren Waller (knee) is optimistic about a potential return this week vs the Chiefs, per source. Las Vegas will see how the week goes but team hopeful he’s making progress.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Raiders were optimistic at one point that Waller would be able to play against the Football Team. Sports Illustrated’s Hondo Carpenter indicated last week that someone within the organization put early odds on Waller having an 80 percent chance of suiting up against the WTF. That number dropped to 40 percent by Thursday and Waller was listed as ‘doubtful’ on Friday. By Saturday the Raiders decided to rule their star TE out altogether.

For whatever reason, Waller’s knee injury doesn’t seem to be on the fastest track to recovery. Even if he is active for Sunday’s game, there is a good chance he won’t be at 100 percent.

Last week, DeSean Jackson was considered to be on pace to play against the WFT – and he did. But Jackson was clearly bothered by his calf injury and only ended up playing 24 offensive snaps.
Hopefully a similar scenario won’t play out this week for Waller.

Most sportsbooks have the Raiders right around a 10-point underdog traveling to Kansas City this weekend. Without a healthy Waller (and/or Jackson), that number might blow up a little more between now and Sunday.

twitter: @raidersbeat