2 min read • January 03, 2022
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Star tight end Darren Waller will return for the Raiders' Week 18 game against division-rival Chargers, head coach Rich Bisaccia said Monday.
Waller's situation has been somewhat of a mystery. The 29-year-old has missed the last 5 games, last playing in Las Vegas' Thanksgiving day win over the Cowboys, finally returning in what amounts to a win-and-your-in playoff game for the 9-7 Raiders.
He left that Week 12 contest in the first half with an IT band strain, and hasn't practiced since with a combination of knee/back ailments and most recently COVID-19.
Despite the extent of the injuries never being publicized, we presume the knee issue was more than a simple IT band strain, which begs the question why they decided not to put him on a 3-week IR stint.
Regardless, given the length of his absence, Waller carries a SIC score of 66, meaning he is unlikely to be fully effective, although 2/3 of Darren Waller is much better than no Darren Waller in what is the biggest came of his career.
Waller's return will be a major boon for the Raiders' chances of making the playoffs for only the 2nd time in the last 19 seasons.
The 2020 Pro-Bowler has caught 53 passes for 643 yards and 2 touchdowns in 9.5 games this season.
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