Oakland Raiders Rumors: Rod Streater, Brice Butler Starters After Andre Holmes Injury? Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree Improve Derek Carr with Latavius Murray Starter

Aug 20, 2015 02:00 PM EDT
Brice Butler
Oakland Raiders receiver Brice Butler makes a catch during training camp."

The Oakland Raiders are thankful for the depth they have built up at wide receiver as injuries suddenly become an issue. The team just got back Rod Streater after he started the season on the PUP list, but they are losing another in the process. After adding Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree in the offseason, the loss of Andre Holmes for a few weeks is something Oakland can afford at the moment.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, 2014's leading receiver Holmes will miss the next three to four weeks with a fractured hand which was suffered during Sunday's practice. While the loss of Holmes hurts, it will allow other players to step up and get time in the offense. Holmes was solid for the Raiders last year as one of their most reliable playmakers. He might have only had 693 yards last year, but that was still enough to keep him at the top of the depth chart. According to quarterback Derek Carr, the injury hurts the team's progress, but the work ethic of the group is good enough to overcome the setback.

"A battle, that's what it's been," Carr said, via ESPN.com. "These guys have been working their tails off. There's not one guy out there that we say, 'I don't know about that guy.' Whenever they got on the field, all of them can make plays. They all bring something different, whether that's the route-running ability, the deep-ball skills, them catching it and what they do after the catch, they all have something different."

Holmes is at risk of missing the team's season opener which opens the door for another player to prove himself. Streater along with Brice Butler and Kenbrell Thompkins are the best options going forward. Cooper has been the star of the show so far for Oakland and that is not expected to change any time soon. Crabtree has done enough to impress as the likely No.2 option meaning everyone else is battling to be a reserve.

One player not doing enough to make the team is Trent Richardson who is on thin ice with Oakland. According to special teams coach Brad Seely, Richardson will see work as a kick returner in hopes that it increases his chances of making the final roster. Right now, Richardson is falling behind at Latavius Murray takes the reigns as the starting back. Richardson is guaranteed nothing with Oakland and must show a lot of improvement if he intends to make the final cut. 

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