The 2020 season is less than three weeks away and teams will try to go into Week 1 with a full deck. However, the Las Vegas Raiders already have a couple of veterans dealing with injuries and may not be ready for the season opener.
Nagging injuries haven’t let Williams and Brown fully contribute
The Raiders signed tackle Trent Brown and wide receiver Tyrell Williams in 2019. They expected both to play a key role in turning the team’s 2018 4-12 record around, and they kind of did. The Silver and Black won three more games last season even though both Brown and Williams were slowed down by injuries.
Brown didn’t dress up five games with a pectoral injury while plantar fasciitis affected Williams pretty much all year and forced him to miss two games. Had the two of them been healthy, we don’t doubt they could’ve helped the Raiders win one or two more games.
Heading into training camp, the plan was for Williams and Brown to be fully healthy and ready to contribute. However, injuries have struck once again and they’re currently on the shelf. We don’t know if they’re going to be ready for Week 1, but the fact they can’t stay healthy isn’t encouraging.
The Raiders are doing what they can, which means not much
In his latest press conference, general manager Mike Mayock didn’t go into specifics and just said Williams and Brown will be back soon.
“I really can’t give you an update. Tyrell will be ready when he’s ready and Trent is on a process with the trainers. I think we’ll see him pretty soon, he’s looking good.”
There’s no point for the Raiders to panic this early. Although they should be currently able to count on Williams and Brown, there’s not much they can do but wait. It isn’t the end of the world and they have competent replacements to take their place while they recover.
Sam Young, whom the Raiders signed earlier this year, is playing at Brown’s spot. Meanwhile, Williams’ absence gives the Silver and Black the chance to evaluate their other wide receivers. Injuries are never a welcome development, but the Raiders are making the most out of the situation while they wait for Williams and Brown.
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Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal
