Tag: 2022 Raiders training camp

Josh McDaniels ‘not concerned’ about Darren Waller absence ‘working his butt off’ to get back

Josh McDaniels says Darren Waller working his butt off’ to get back ‘not concerned’ about extended absence.

Darren Waller has been out a while. He was out for a while early in camp, returned for one day, then was gone again. Soon after speculation grew louder about whether his absence might be contract related, Adam Schefter reported Waller’s issue was a hamstring.

Now, whether it’s his contract or his hamstring, there are questions as to whether Waller’s absence could bleed into the season. Head coach Josh McDaniels was asked if he was concerned about that.

“I am not concerned,” said McDaniels prior to Wednesday’s practice. “He’s doing everything he can to get out there as soon as he can be. I don’t want to make a prediction on whether he will or won’t be ready here in a few weeks, but I see him every day. He’s in every meeting, he’s doing everything he can to get out there as fast as possible. We don’t have that many guys that are in that boat right now. Darren’s certainly one of them. [He’s] working his butt off. He knows that he’s going to be a big part of this team and what we want to do and he’s right there. And like I said he’s in meetings. But I’m not concerned about it.”

This was a pretty standard answer from McDaniels when referencing the status of a player. For example, recently he similar of Johnathan Hankins and Bilal Nichols and the two were literally back the next practice.

If Waller’s return is coupled with him signing a new contract, then we might have some inkling that his absence was at very least about not risking injury without long term job security. But until then, we’ll just be left to speculate on the timeline for his injury rehab.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=none image=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

TE Darren Waller joins slew of Raiders starters to return to practice

Raiders had a bunch of starters return to practice including all players on PUP list.

It’s quite a day for the Raiders at training camp. The biggest name to return to practice is tight end Darren Waller, who had been out for nearly three weeks. But he was joined by a whole host of projected starters according to media on hand at practice.

For a full month of camp. there have been at least four players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list — Trayvon Mullen, Bilal Nichols, Johnathan Hankins, and Dillon Stoner.

All four of them took the field today.

Just two days ago, head coach Josh McDaniels said he wasn’t ready to give a timeline on when the likes of Nichols and Hankins would be back, saying they would return when he was confident they could do so without risk of a setback. So…surprise!

Also returning after missing some time was starting cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Along with Mullen’s return, he gives the Raiders both their projected outside starters.

Lastly, Divine Deablo is back at practice after missing some time. Deablo started five games last season and is competing with newcomer Jayon Brown at outside linebacker, with situations where both could be on the field together.

For Waller’s part, the issue was said to be a hamstring. It has been a long camp and it’s worth noting that Waller spent a good portion of last year’s camp nursing an injury. It’s camp which is the time to be cautious about such things.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=none image=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Raiders CB Trayvon Mullen returns to practice, coming off PUP list

Trayvon Mullen comes off PUP list to take training camp field.

For the first time this training camp Trayvon Mullen took the field, according to multiple media accounts. The projected starting cornerback started camp on the Physically Unable to perform list, where he remained for the past month.

The former second round pick cornerback has been the full time starter at cornerback for the better part of three seasons.

Injuries have been an issue of late for him, causing him to miss all but five games last season, and twice being placed on injured reserve.

Once he’s back full, he’s expected to push for a starting outside cornerback spot across from newly acquired Rock Ya-Sin.

In Mullen’s absence, the Raiders have tried nickel cornerback Nate Hobbs on the outside to test his versatility. Hobbs has stepped up to the challenge and has at times played very well on the outside, including picking off two passes this camp.

It might be too soon to expect Mullen to play against the Dolphins in Miami on Saturday, but having him on the field for the scrimmages against the Patriots and possibly the final preseason game should prepare him for the start of the season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby7y715wxzbczy player_id=none image=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Raiders rookies report to training camp

It’s training camp report day for Raiders rookies

Training camp has arrived for some Raiders players. As is always the case, the rookies arrive first, along with the first-year players and quarterbacks. The Raiders tweeted out images of some of their rookies showing up at the facility this morning.

Rookies would include their six draft picks and all their undrafted free agents.

As for the rest of the team, they report on Wednesday with the first practice taking place on Thursday, July 21.

The Raiders are among the first teams to take the field for training camp because they will play in the first preseason game; the Hall of Fame game which takes place in Canton Ohio.

That means these players who report today will get a bit of a head start on their NFL careers. This after already being among the first teams to start their offseason programs due to having a new head coach in Josh McDaniels.