In the final Sunday slate of the NFL regular season, star tight end Darren Waller is a big question mark for both fantasy football managers and Las Vegas Raiders fans. Let’s take a look at the latest injury update for Waller and whether or not we’re going to see him play.
Update 1/9/2022: Darren Waller is expected to play in Sunday Night Football as the Raiders take on the Chargers in Week 18.
Darren Waller injury update
Waller has been out since Week 12 with a knee injury, and he’s a massive part of the Raiders’ game plan. He is currently listed as questionable after getting in three limited practices this week. The talented TE is a game-time decision. This is a huge game for the Raiders — their matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers is a win-and-get-in scenario.
There is optimism that Waller will be ready to go, but the Raiders don’t play until Sunday Night Football. If you’re relying on him for fantasy purposes, you need to have a backup plan in place. Foster Moreau or Jared Cook are TE names to monitor in that matchup.
Las Vegas’ TE has had a disappointing fantasy season
Heading into the beginning of this season, Waller was a locked-in top-tier tight end for fantasy football. Amidst a Raiders season full of turmoil, Waller has had a disappointing season for fantasy purposes — he’s only topped 100 yards twice and scored twice this season.
Last year, Waller had 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and 9 TDs. He had a catch rate of 73.8%. This year, in 10 games, Waller has 53 receptions for 643 yards and 2 TDs. His catch rate is down significantly, dropping to 63.1%. Even when he’s been on the field, Waller has been noticeably less productive this year. Despite that, at a thin position, Waller still checks in as the TE6 on a point-per-game basis. Fantasy managers need him if they drafted him.
Darren Waller fantasy expectations
If Waller is able to play tonight, he needs to be started. The Chargers have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing TEs over the last four weeks, surrendering 428 yards and 3 TDs over that stretch. No team has given up more receiving yards to tight ends this year than the Chargers (1,091).
It’s a great matchup, and Waller is a pivotal asset in the Raiders’ passing attack. Derek Carr has eyes for Waller, and he loves to get him the ball early and often. If Waller plays, he should be in line for a big day for the last week of the 2021 NFL regular season.