You can bet the moment this year’s schedule came out, Darren Waller had Week nine circled on his calendar. Back in March, the Raiders traded the former Pro Bowl tight end to New York for a third round pick (100 overall).
Presumably one of the reasons now former GM Dave Ziegler made the move was because Waller had missed eight games in the 2022. And Waller has not missed a game this season for the Giants. A string that appears likely to end this Sunday.
Waller did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury.
FB Jakob Johnson and LB Luke Masterson are both in the concussion protocol. #Raiders pic.twitter.com/JKzAzncVC4
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) November 1, 2023
That alone isn’t cause for immediate concern. But Waller himself is concerned his injury could not only have him missing the opportunity to face his former team, but cost him several more weeks as well.
TE Darren Waller “very frustrating” and “a little bit discouraging” that he’s dealing with another hamstring injury.
Waller said it’s likely going to be “potentially” weeks. The amount of weeks he’s not quite sure.
“It may take a little bit.“
So it seems very unlikely he… pic.twitter.com/1ymC6LjSHn
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 1, 2023
It was a hamstring issue that plagued Waller last season which caused him to miss as much time as he did. And surely it’s quite frustrating. Waller was on pace to reach 85 catches for 923 yards this season before the injury, which would be his third best NFL season behind his 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Raiders — the latter had him in the Pro Bowl.
Funny thing is, while he is watching from the sideline at Allegiant, the coach and GM who traded him will be watching from home.
