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One of the situations to watch heading into the previous offseason for the Las Vegas Raiders was Darren Waller’s contract. The star tight end was widely considered underpaid and wanted to get a new deal done. He even fired Klutch Sports and hired Drew Rosenhaus as his agent to expedite the process. The team decided to pay him but he’s had mixed results.
Waller only has 16 catches for 175 yards and had to leave the Week 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs early due to a hamstring injury. The former Pro Bowler had a disappointing season last year due to injury and only played in 11 games. Waller was supposed to be one of the centerpieces of a high-powered Raiders offense but that hasn’t been the case this season. Former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis knows a thing or two about dealing with injuries. He offered some advice to Waller amid his current injury issues.
“He’s still a young guy. And I think for a guy like that, I will kind of just share my story, how I started and where it came into where I’m at now. When I first got in the NFL, I missed probably 75% of the season due to a small fracture I had on my fibula,” Davis told Heavy Sports. “And then a second year, I suffered another injury where I sprained my MCL. And I was out 75% of the season. And, you know, it goes on, it’s all about your mindset. Are you optimistic? Do you have faith that everything’s going to be OK? Hang in there, just trust the process, and everything’s going to work out. But he has to continue to keep putting the work in. If you’re working hard, and you’re consistent at whatever that work is and whatever it means to you, then you’re going to always come out on top.”
Waller has proven to be a hard worker over the years but he’s already 30 despite only becoming a household name recently. A hamstring injury kept him out for much of training camp so it’s a situation to watch.
Davis Helping Smirnoff Recruit for ‘Best Job in America’
Davis has been out of the NFL for a few years now but he’s been keeping busy off the field. He’s been on TV, made music and now he’s working with Smirnoff to recruit a Cocktail Coordinator for this NFL season.
“Who wouldn’t want to work with Smirnoff? I mean, look at what we’re doing. We’re recruiting for the best job in America,” Davis said of the Cocktail Coordinator position. “This is going to be a great moment, we’re going to be partying like it’s 1972 with toasting to that 1972 undefeated [Miami Dolphins] team. It’s gonna be amazing, man. There’s not a better opportunity than to be able to win a prize flying on a private jet with your gameday crew. Oh, there’s nothing like it.”
Interested parties can apply for the position at BestJobInAmerica.Smirnoff.com.
Waller Likely out for Week 7 vs. Texans
Waller’s injury is not thought to be too serious but he could miss time. The tight end spoke to NFL Media’s Jim Trotter and told him that Week 7 against the Houston Texans will “probably be tough” for him. He did assure fans that he won’t be out for a long time.
The Raiders desperately need a win on Sunday and not having Waller will be a blow. The team will need a big game from wide receiver Davante Adams if they hope to get just their second win of the season.
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