HENDERSON, Nev. – The Las Vegas Raiders activated two Professional Bowlers off Injured Reserve Saturday in tight finish Darren Waller (left hamstring) and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow (indirect), in time for Sunday’s house recreation towards the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium.
Whereas each gamers signed contract extensions this offseason, the Raiders have had each energetic in the identical recreation simply thrice this season, although not since Week 5. Anticipated to be a significant a part of first-year coach Josh McDaniels’ offense, the 2 have as an alternative mixed to catch 37 passes and 1 landing in a mixed 11 video games, this after Waller had a franchise-record 107 catches with 9 TDs in 2020 and Renfrow caught 103 passes and 9 scores final season.
Renfrow mentioned earlier this week the Raiders, who’re 5-8, must lean on final season’s expertise of successful 4 straight to finish the season and power their method into the playoffs.
“It was an superior little run we had however we did not win 4 by making an attempt to win 4; we gained 4 by making an attempt to win one after which simply piling up on high of one another,” mentioned Renfrow, who final performed in Week 9 and has 21 catches for 192 yards and not using a rating. His fumble towards the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 resulted in a 59-yard scoop-and-score walkoff loss as Renfrow was concussed on the play and missed the following two video games.
“That is the large factor this week.”
Renfrow’s extension was price $32 million over two years, with $21 million assured.
Waller, in the meantime, mentioned he leaned on final 12 months’s private expertise, when he needed to battle darkish ideas as he was sidelined, to get by this spherical of inactivity.
“This time, you do not actually query your worth or your price, simply since you’re not on the market,” mentioned Waller, who has been open about his battle for sobriety. “It is as much as you to know who you might be and to be ok with your self, whether or not issues are going the way in which you need them to or whether or not they’re not. I really feel like I’ve grown in that.”
Waller, who final performed in Week 5, has 16 catches for 175 yards and a TD. He has missed 13 of the Raiders’ final 19 common season video games, courting to final season, when he handled knee and again accidents. He additionally was out throughout camp this summer season for a bit with a proper hamstring challenge.
He signed a three-year, $51 million extension close to the tip of camp.
In corresponding strikes, the Raiders have launched WR DJ Turner and TE Jacob Hollister, whereas selling OT Sebastian Gutierrez and G Jordan Meredith from the observe squad for Sunday’s recreation.