Raiders don’t sound confident about Darren Waller for Week 1

Raiders tight end Darren Waller still isn’t back from his hamstring injury as training camp ends and now his status for Week 1 is in doubt too.

It doesn’t sound like Darren Waller will play in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ preseason finale against the Patriots but fans should be far more worried about the season opener than Friday’s game.

The star tight end isn’t practicing right now and head coach Josh McDaniels doesn’t sound sure that he’ll even be available for Week 1.

On Wednesday, McDaniels told the media that he’s not concerned about Waller’s absence, but he couldn’t give a prediction on his availability going forward.

Darren Waller injury update: Raiders tight end could miss Week 1

Waller missed most of training camp with a hamstring problem. However, initial word was that the injury was not serious and he made a brief return to the practice field last week.

The tune appears to have changed with training camp coming to a close and Waller sitting out again. The fact that the Raiders won’t confirm his participation in the season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 11 is a concern. That’s more than two weeks away and his status is in doubt.

Hamstring injuries can be incredibly tricky to come back from. Progression is not always straightforward. So it could just be a case of Waller’s hamstring not healing up at an ideal rate.

The head coach did want to make it clear that Waller isn’t slacking.

“He’s doing everything he can to get back out there,” McDaniel said via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. “…I see him every day. He’s in every meeting.”

Raiders fans may not know when Waller will be back, but they can at least hope he’ll be up to speed and ready to go when the time comes.