One of the most devastating blows to the Oakland Raiders roster came when starting left tackle, Jared Veldheer, went down with a torn triceps. Veldheer’s season was in serious jeopardy as a result of the injury, but the veteran tackle assured the team and the fans that he do everything in his power to get back on the field this year.
According to Kevin Patra of NFL.com, Veldheer has been placed on the team’s IR-recall list as of Saturday:
The Oakland Raiders placed injured left tackle Jared Veldheer on the injured reserve-designated to return list (a.k.a. IR-recall) on Saturday.
The team announced the move, which keeps alive the chance that the veteran tackle could return this season. Veldheer underwent triceps surgery in August.
Initially, Veldheer’s return is expected to be around midseason with the left tackle potentially getting back on the field for Week 9. Although that may still be a possibility, the team needs to move on without arguably one of their best players.
On Sunday, the Raiders will get the 2013 NFL season underway against the Indianapolis Colts on the road. Veteran Khalif Barnes will fill the void for the injured Veldheer becoming the starter alongside new addition Tony Pashos at right tackle.
Before Barnes was given the role as the starter for Week 1, rookie left tackle, Menelik Watson, was expected to make his first start with the team. Watson replaced Veldheer, and eventually the recently released Alex Barron, before getting the nod as the starter. Barron simply wasn’t able to get the job done forcing the coaching staff to thrust Watson into the starting role.
Unfortunately, Watson went down with a knee injury in practice last week and will miss Sunday’s game against the Colts. Watson’s injury isn’t expected to keep him out a considerable amount of time, but the rookie is starting to earn the reputation as an often injured player early in his NFL career.
