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.
