Organized team activities for the Las Vegas Raiders have begun for the 2023 season; football is back, folks. Meanwhile, “prized” free agent acquisition Jimmy Garoppolo did not participate. Instead, he was held out of activities in order to not rush his recovery.
Are the Raiders limping to the starting line?
Garoppolo has been injured since December 4, and his foot injury preceded his departure from the San Francisco 49ers. Initially, he was told by the 49ers’ doctors that his injury was not a Lisfranc injury and didn’t require surgery. Regrettably, time has proven otherwise.
Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels told reporters his veteran signal caller had a foot procedure after his postponed introductory press conference. McDaniels would also decline to tell reporters what the procedure was, but he reiterated that the Raiders’ first game is 100 days away.
When connecting the dots, one could surmise that it is quite possible the reason for the introductory press conference holdup was a failed physical. Whether or not there was hesitation about how to proceed, the team built in some active roster incentives and opted to move forward with “Jimmy G.”
What to make of it…
Is it the end of the world that the starting quarterback isn’t ready to join his teammates for OTAs? The answer is no. However, it would be next to impossible to find a benefit to not being out there. Wide receiver Davante Adams said a quarterback doesn’t make him; he makes him.
Should there be a setback and Garoppolo be unable to heal in time for training camp, it would be time to sound the panic alarm. That’s quite a scenario—one that Raiders fans are hoping stays plausible and not a reality.
Signing an injured quarterback to a three-year, $67.5 million-dollar deal with $33.75 million fully guaranteed is frightening. Who made this call remains to be seen. Still, should Jimmy Garoppolo not be the answer, whether injured or ineffective, someone needs to be held accountable.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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