Tag: Henry Ruggs III News

Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III makes splashy, scary, successful debut for Las Vegas

Raiders rookie WR Henry Ruggs got his career started off right for Las Vegas, but he gave fans a scare with a leg injury before returning.

The 2020 NFL draft was flush with wide receivers, with seemingly the deepest selection in years, and the Raiders had their pick of the litter with the No. 12 overall choice.

Las Vegas selected WR Henry Ruggs III despite limited production at Alabama, looking right past a bevy of wideouts with prototypical NFL physiques. Though he possessed elite speed, Ruggs’ diminutive frame caused concern for some. Was Ruggs NFL ready?

After one week, it appears Ruggs III can help the Raiders win now. He set up Las Vegas’ first score of the day with a 45-yard catch and nearly scored the six points himself.

Sure, the ball was a bit underthrown by quarterback Derek Carr, but the two are just starting to build rapport. Most importantly, running back Josh Jacobs cashed in shortly thereafter, giving the Raiders a 7-3 lead.

Coach Jon Gruden made a point to involve his first-round pick to start the game, even using the rookie on a fake end-around run on the offense’s first play.

“Obviously [Henry] Ruggs III came up with a couple big plays,” Gruden told reporters after the game, a 34-30 win over the Panthers. “We targeted him early. He left the game with a knee. We hope it’s not severe. He was able to finish.”

Ruggs injured his left knee on a reception attempt in the second quarter. He returned to the game but didn’t make any more big plays. But Ruggs did show toughness and the ability to fight injury, two vital components for an NFL player.

Early returns are good as far as Ruggs’ availability going forward, according to The Raiders Wire’s own Levi Damien.

Overall, Ruggs paced the Raiders wide receivers with three catches for 55 yards, and he added 11 yards rushing on two carries. His impact was impossible to ignore during his debut, however, and early on, it looks as though he has what it takes to help propel Gruden’s offense to another level.

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Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III is a Gruden ‘grinder’ 

Raiders rookie WR Henry Ruggs has speed to burn, but his off-the-field attributes could make him the perfect draft pick for coach Jon Gruden

It’s well-known that Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has immense physical talent, most notably his blazing speed.

But considering praise from coach Jon Gruden regarding Ruggs’ intangibles, the rookie from Alabama could be the ideal player for the Raiders at a critical time.

That’s because Gruden, who runs the show in Las Vegas, covets more than mere physical ability. He wants players that love football and would play for free if that was the only option.

Gruden has a word to describe such a player, made famous when he starred as an analyst on Monday Night Football, and he used the term to describe Ruggs III.

“He’s just a hardworking, no-nonsense, day-to-day consistent grinder,” Gruden told reporters on Wednesday. The word “grinder” was the subject of the “Gruden’s Grinder” segment on MNF, used to describe a player that was gritty, determined and tough. 

The old ball coach not only used his favorite word to describe Ruggs III, but he further complimented the speedy wideout, saying he’s a “consistent grinder,” not to mention “hardworking” and “no-nonsense.” And Gruden wasn’t finished talking about his prized first-round pick.  

“We love him. You’d like him in your business, and we love him in our business. He’s got a big future ahead of him I think, as long as we don’t screw him up.”

Gruden must feel at least a bit of pressure regarding the selection of Ruggs. The 2020 draft was incredibly deep at wide receiver, and Ruggs was the first one chosen. The Raiders will depend on his production even more after the season-ending injury to WR Tyrell Williams.

But Ruggs’ demeanor no doubt played a factor in Gruden’s choice, in addition to his speed, of course. With a 4.27-second time in the 40-yard-dash and a mentally tough attitude, the coach must be in football heaven drawing up plays for the rookie.

That’s exactly what he needs for the critical third year of his team rebuild. In the Raiders’ first year in Las Vegas, it’s Gruden’s job to vault the entire offense into stardom. Ruggs III could be just the guy to make it happen.

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