After a disappointing loss in their final home game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the Oakland Raiders will be looking to bounce back in Week 16 as they travel to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
While there is no undoing the loss in Oakland against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, the Raiders still can hope for some late season luck to make their way into the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Raiders, their injury report has been filled with key players lately, hampering their chances.
This week however, things are seeming to look different as the Raiders are expecting to have rookie wide receiver Hunter Renfrow back, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic:
WR Hunter Renfrow (ribs) expected to play Sunday against Chargers
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 16, 2019
Renfrow’s return is somewhat surprising after originally injuring himself in Week 12 against the New York Jets, breaking a rib and puncturing his lung. Head coach Jon Gruden did not seem optimistic about him returning this season at first, but it appears he has made significant progress.
The Raiders are in serious need of an offensive boost after starting out strong but but going scoreless in the second half of each of their last two games.
Throughout the course of the season, the Raiders have managed to average 234 passing yards per game. Of course, Darren Waller has provided Derek Carr with a consistent target over the course of the season, but Renfrow has been one of the Raiders’ better options as well.
In just 11 games and two starts, he has managed to grab two touchdown receptions and 396 yards on 36 receptions. The Raiders wide receivers have been shuffled often this season, but Renfrow has been one of few consistent options in recent weeks before going down with the injury.
Renfrow’s return could not have come at a better time as the Raiders are looking to beat the Chargers for the second time this season. The Chargers have allowed only 2,763 passing yards this season, the fourth-fewest in the NFL.
With some key players returning to the field for the last two weeks, the hope is that the Raiders can end the season on a high-note.
