2 min read • September 11, 2020
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Josh Jacobs - RB
After a strong start to his rookie campaign, Josh Jacobs' season ended with a whimper due to a shoulder injury. Initially, he played through the issue with an injection but ended up missing time with what was described as a fracture. He displayed a ton of toughness playing through the injury, while rushing for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns in his debut season. In any case, the shoulder injury should be healed with Jacobs in line for a strong sophomore year.
Nelson Agholor - WR
Nelson Agholor missed a total of six games in 2019 due to knee issues. After an initial October injury, there was recurrent swelling throughout the season, and this leads us to worry about long term issues. Agholor landed with the Raiders in the offseason but at about 1/10th his Eagles salary last year which might be indicative of his continued knee worries. The USC alum could be buried on the depth chart in Vegas behind Hunter Renfrow, Henry Ruggs III, and Bryan Edwards. A former 1st round pick, he is yet to break 1000 yards in a season, but with Tyrell Williams being placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season, Agholor could carve out a role for himself.
Hunter Renfrow - WR
Hunter Renfrow suffered a broken rib which punctured his lung but only missed three games. Renfrow is as tough as they come and will be fully healthy to start the 2020 season. In his rookie season, the Clemson product caught 49 balls for 605 yards and four scores as a wily slot receiver, and should build on this campaign moving forward.
Tyrell Williams - WR
Tyrell Williams had a down year playing through plantar fasciitis in both feet, somehow missing just two games. Given the offseason, this should give him plenty of time to put this issue behind him. Williams still had 42 snags for 651 yards and six touchdowns last year, but still has a ways to go to live up to the four year, $44 million deal he signed in 2019. Recently in camp, Williams suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder. This typically leads to shoulder instability and likely needs surgery. It seems he will try to put off surgery and play through with some sort of shoulder strap or harness. Wide receivers have completed seasons with this contraption but it does often interfere with the catch radius. Expect Williams to try and play this season but his role will be diminished in light of the new injury. Williams will then have surgery in the offseason. It's unfortunate for the wideout, who’s trying to establish himself in this new, upstart Raiders offense after being hampered by a foot injury last year. If he ends up limited or out, the pressure will be on rookie Henry Ruggs III to step up, along with Nelson Agholor and Hunter Renfrow in the slot.
IR/Opt-Out List
QB Marcus Mariota
WR Tyrell Williams
TE Nick O'Leary
DE Jeremiah Valoaga
LB Ukeme Eligwe
LB Tanner Muse
CB DJ Killings
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