Ahead of a key Thursday game against the Chargers, the Raiders are set to be without their field-stretching rookie wideout. They placed Henry Ruggs on their reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
While the Raiders have not gotten as much from Ruggs statistically as some of the other teams who drafted receivers this year, the Alabama product has helped the team’s offense as a deep threat.
It is not yet known if Ruggs tested positive for the coronavirus or qualifies as a high-risk close contact. Either scenario would, however, give him an opening to play in Week 16. This makes for another setback for the 2020 draft’s top wideout selected. He missed much of Las Vegas’ offseason program after suffering an off-field injury and missed time earlier this season because of a hamstring malady.
Ruggs is averaging 18.0 yards per catch this season, hauling in 23 passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns. The coveted prospect has seen low-cost UFA Nelson Agholor operate as Las Vegas’ top outside receiver as of late.
The Raiders also promoted Vic Beasley from their practice squad. The Raiders’ loss to the Colts bumped them back to the “In the Hunt” tier of the AFC playoff picture, placing obvious importance on their Week 15 game against the Bolts.
Other than Josh Jacobs & I hear Maxx Crosby is solid, has Jon drafted any pro bowlers?
It’s been 2 drafts and I think they’ve done well. They also picked up Waller off the scrap heap and watched him flourish so it’s not like they haven’t acquired talent. Ruggs hasn’t had a huge year but he’s shown flashes and is still only a rookie.
Maybe but 2 years w/ losing records and this season they might be 500. I don’t think that’s worth $10m a year. Not trying to argue, but he hasn’t been the savior everyone thought he would be this go around.
Gruden has never been able to draft. As a Bucs fan, I am eternally grateful to what he did in 2003. But he inherited a team built by Dungy and McKay. Granted, he took that team to another level. But then he ran it into the ground. He is a great coach on the field but cannot construct a team, or draft well at all. If he could check his ego and let the general manager do his job he would be better off. But he always wants a say in player personnel and that usually leads to bust draft picks. Look at his history. Very few hits and dozens of misses.
AB set the program back a few months. Draft hasn’t been great but it also hasn’t been horrible. Let’s see what a new D coordinator can do. There’s been zero pressure. and on offense the play calling has been very predictable.
I give Gruden a C+ so far but it’s not easy to turn around a whole franchise in 2 years.
The raiders have drafted fine, they just cant sign free agents that have any impact!