The Las Vegas Raiders will be without two former Pro Bowl pass-catchers for at least a month after placing tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on injured reserve Thursday.
Both Waller and Renfrow will miss a minimum of four games, making them eligible to return against the Los Angeles Rams on December 8.
Waller hasn’t played since pulling his hamstring in a Week 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but had been a game-time decision in each of the last two weeks. The 30-year-old tight end aggravated the injury in practice this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday, leading to his move to IR.
In a corresponding move, the Raiders will sign tight end Jacob Hollister from the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad for added depth. Foster Moreau will continue to start while Waller is out.
While Las Vegas still expects him to return this season, Waller has been one of the Raiders’ biggest disappointments in a passing game that has fallen well short of expectations.
Waller told reporters Wednesday that he has become frustrated with his slow recovery.
"It's not like I'm doing anything to keep myself off the field willingly,” Waller said. "I'm doing everything that I can. It just may not be happening in the timetable that I'd like for that to happen."
The 2020 Pro Bowl selection has just 16 catches for 175 yards this season, playing in only five games.
Renfrow has been similarly disappointing this season and will now miss serious time with an oblique injury.
Coming off his 100-catch, 1000-yard breakout season in 2021, Renfrow has just 21 receptions this season for 192 yards as Mack Hollins has emerged as the Raiders’ second receiver behind Davante Adams.
After trading for Adams in the offseason and signing him to a massive contract extension, Derek Carr and the Raiders appeared poised to have an explosive offense with plenty of weapons for new coach Josh McDaniels to work with.
Carr, however, is having just a middling season with 11 touchdown passes and five interceptions through eight games.
The 2-6 Raiders host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.