Raiders' Star Tight End Returns to Practice

The Las Vegas Raiders put together their best game of the 2022 regular season in Week 7, blowing out the Houston Texans 38-20. They'll have more reason for excitement after today. Tight end Darren Waller returned to practice Wednesday.

Darren Waller will be practicing with the @Raiders today
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) October 26, 2022

Waller has been out ever since suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter of the Raiders' Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He had been off to a slow start to that point in the season, totalling a mere 16 receptions for 175 receiving yards over his five appearances.

If Waller can bounce back to the peak of his powers, he should provide a huge boost to a Raiders offense that's finally finding its rhythm. They've scored 33.0 points per game over their last three matchups, propelling them to a third overall ranking in points scored.

Waller joined the Raiders in 2018 after flaming out with the Baltimore Ravens. He emerged as one of the league's dominant receiving tight ends in his second year with the team, averaging 69.9 receiving yards per game over 43 appearances from 2019 to 2021. If healthy, he'll prove an ideal compliment to wide receivers Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Mack Hollins, not to mention resurgent running back Josh Jacobs.