Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is disappointed the team will not have starting wide receivers Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards this weekend.
However, Gruden is not going to dwell too much on the loss of the two players.
Vic Tafur of The Athletic asked the enigmatic head coach how the game plan would change, to which Gruden jokingly quipped he was emotionally moved.
“They’re our starters. So it does affect you emotionally. You get a little depressed, Vic. You’re not as happy as you would be, but if it’s another player, so be it. We have a lot of confidence in Agholor.”
Gruden seems to be embracing the “next man up” mentality, though the Raiders do not seem to have much of a choice.
Edwards suffered an ankle injury during a Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots, and has officially been ruled out.
Ruggs has not yet been ruled out, but he is doubtful and trending towards an inactive after missing Week 3 due to a hamstring injury.
In any case, the Raiders will certainly hope for plenty of contributions from Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor and tight end Darren Waller, and it would not be a surprise to see running back Josh Jacobs get more involved in the passing game.
Las Vegas started the season 2-0 after wins over the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints, but a few costly turnovers led to points for the Patriots and ultimately sealed the Raiders' fate last weekend.
It is worth noting quarterback Derek Carr still had success against a stout Pats secondary despite all the injuries, though he lost two fumbles.
But Gruden and Carr will have to get more creative with both of their starting wideouts likely unavailable this weekend.
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