Raiders to place Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow on IR

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders are inserting a pair of Professional Bowl pass-catchers — tight finish Darren Waller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow — on injured reserve, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Waller and Renfrow will each miss at the very least 4 video games, beginning with Sunday’s dwelling matchup in opposition to the Colts, and won’t be eligible to return till the Raiders (2-6) play the Rams on Dec. 8.

Waller has been battling a strained left hamstring since a Week 5 loss to the Chiefs and already has missed Las Vegas’ final three video games, whereas Renfrow has accidents to his ribs and a hamstring. Each gamers had been listed as restricted contributors in Wednesday’s observe.

Each Waller (three years, $51 million) and Renfrow (two years, $32 million) signed offseason extensions, however neither has been capable of keep on the sector this yr. They had been speculated to staff up with All-Professional receiver Davante Adams, Professional Bowl working again Josh Jacobs and Professional Bowl quarterback Derek Carr to raise the Raiders’ offense below new coach Josh McDaniels.

As an alternative, Las Vegas has misplaced three video games through which it held 17-0 leads, and the quintet has performed collectively in simply three video games up to now. Waller, Renfrow, Adams and Carr have performed a complete of simply 43 snaps collectively.

Waller instructed ESPN on Wednesday that nobody is extra pissed off by the harm than he’s.

“It isn’t like I am doing something to maintain myself off the sector willingly,” stated Waller, who had examined his left hamstring out in pregame drills the earlier two weeks. “I am doing the whole lot that I can. It simply might not be taking place within the timetable that I might like for that to occur.”

Waller additionally handled a proper hamstring situation that compelled him to overlook important time throughout coaching camp. He has missed eight of Las Vegas’ previous 14 regular-season video games after additionally struggling accidents to his again and knee in a Thanksgiving sport in opposition to the Cowboys final yr.

Waller’s numbers have paled compared to his earlier manufacturing; he has simply 16 catches for 175 yards and one landing this season. He had a franchise-record 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2020, one yr after he had 90 catches for 1,145 yards and three TDs in 2019.

Renfrow suffered a concussion on the ultimate play of the Raiders’ gorgeous time beyond regulation loss in Week 2 to the Cardinals and missed the subsequent two video games. A yr after hauling in 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and 9 touchdowns, Renfrow has simply 21 receptions for 192 yards and nil scores this season.