Raiders Likely to Be Without Top Two WRs vs. Steelers
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Raiders are already without star wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), and now it looks like their No. 2 wide receiver will be sidelined.
It will be the third consecutive game missed for Adams, who’s in the midst of a trade request. Meyers has caught 11 passes for 121 yards in the last two games as the Raiders’ top target.
The Steelers have been in contact with the Raiders about trading for Adams, according to multiple media reports and confirmed by Steelers Now. If the Raiders and Steelers happen to strike a deal, it only makes sense that it won’t be until after Sunday’s game.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Adams prefers to play for the New York Jets or New Orleans Saints due to his past connections with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and quarterback Derek Carr in college at Fresno State.
With Adams out and Meyers likely to be sidelined, the Raiders will rely on a wide receiver corps that features D.J. Turner, Tre Tucker, Tyreik McAllister, Alex Bachman and Kristian Wilkerson. Not necessarily household names. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers has been impressive, though. He had a 57-yard touchdown in the Raiders’ loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
The Raiders activated Bachman and Wilkerson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday, so it looks like they’re preparing for Meyers to be out. Tucker has 18 receptions for 190 yards and a touchdown.
Bowers essentially will be the Raiders No. 1 wide receiver. He currently leads all tight ends in targets, receptions, yards, and 20+ yard catches. Tucker, who is a speedster, has 18 receptions for 190 yards and a touchdown this year.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce made a change at quarterback this week. Las Vegas will go with second-year QB Adian O’Connell as the starter over Gardner Minshew. Minshew completed 70.7% of his passes and had a 4-5 touchdown/interception ratio in the first five games. O’Connell went 5-5 in 10 starts as a rookie last season, recording 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions.
“It was my decision,” Pierce said. “That’s just what I felt was best for the offense going forward.”
In addition to Adams and Meyers, the Raiders will be without star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who is undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture he suffered in last Sunday’s loss to the Broncos. He’ll be placed on injured reserve, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapport also reports that Raiders running back Zamir White (groin), was back at practice on Friday, but he’s still considered a long-shot to play. Starting right tackle Thayer Munford (knee) is questionable.
Wilkins, who signed a lucrative four-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders this offseason after leaving the Miami Dolphins, is a massive loss for Las Vegas in the interior. He recorded 17 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits in 4.5 games this season. Adam Butler is expected to replaced Wilkins at DT.
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