Why Unknowns Cloud Expectations For Darren Waller's 2022 Season

Darren Waller - SIC Score 84

One of the most active teams of the NFL offseason – in both roster additions and in lawsuits faced – was the Oakland Raiders, possibly in an effort to stay competitive during the AFC West arms race. 

Las Vegas brought in Chandler Jones on a three-year deal and traded for star receiver Davante Adams, who will now roam the outer edges of the field alongside star tight end Darren Waller.

Waller, soon turning 30 and in the third year of a four-year contract, missed five games in the end stretch of the 2021 season with IT band and back injuries that confused the Pro Football Docs because of the non-descript nature of the ailment that, in most circumstances, wouldn’t cause significant missed time.

The Docs give Waller an SIC health score of 84 coming into the 2022 season. Despite the fact that he appears healthy after returning for the final two games of the season, the Docs are exercising because of the unknowns still surrounding him. 

Likewise, the added unknowns of his contract dispute with Raiders’ management and how Adams’ dominant presence and long-standing relationship with Derek Carr will affect his target share. 

Waller initially went down with what appeared to be a left MCL injury on Thanksgiving day, but it was later diagnosed as an IT band strain. The IT band is a strand of ligament that stretches down the leg from the hip to the outside of the knee and, while it can be the source of a collection of minor ailments, all are treatable. 

ProFootballDoc, David Chao MD, expressed skepticism about the diagnosis of the injury as Waller was still out and not practicing approaching Christmas.

Once the pro-bowler did return he was mostly ineffective, catching nine of 21 targets for 98 yards in their dramatic season finale win and equally palpitating Wild Card loss to the Bengals. 

Before the injury, Waller was once again on pace for a pro-bowl campaign, logging 51 receptions for 610 yards and two touchdowns on 79 targets and developing into a dangerous combo with Hunter Renfrow.

Waller told ESPN’s Paul Guttierez ahead of their playoff loss that the absence challenged him and his battle for sobriety. Because of his addiction to opioids, which led to a full season suspension in 2017, the 29-year-old is unable to take the normally prescribed pain medication that he could use to treat injuries like an IT band or back strain. 

Waller’s confusing absence defied Sports Injury Central’s expectations enough to keep a healthy skepticism about the star heading into what could be a big season for the Raiders.