The Las Vegas Raiders desperately need a win on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but it seems their chances are dwindling. Darren Waller has been dealing with a knee injury for a couple of weeks now, and his status for Week 14 causes concerns for Las Vegas.
According to Ari Meirov, Darren Waller has officially been ruled out against the Chiefs. The Raiders star tight end hasn't participated in practice throughout the week. Clearly, Waller needs extra time for his knee to heel.
This is not an ideal scenario for a Raiders team fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Las Vegas has hit a rough patch and not having their superstar on the field could be detrimental. Especially considering the Chiefs' defense has come alive recently.
The passing attack might take a hit, but it's not like the Raiders are dead in the water. Josh Jacobs has played well in their last two games and Hunter Renfrow has emerged as a consistent target. It'll take a miracle for Las Vegas to pull off the upset, but they'll have a chance if Derek Carr delivers.
Additionally, backup tight end Foster Moreau has filled in nicely whenever Waller is unavailable. For that reason, the Raiders should still feel confident going up against the Kansas City Chiefs. It's an uphill battle, but Las Vegas has the tools to walk out of this matchup with the win.
Look for the Raiders to focus on their rushing attack. Josh Jacobs has been playing well, which bodes well for Vegas. If they can get him rolling, they'll be able to control the clock and keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes' hands as much as possible.