Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals: 5 takeaways from Week 15

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 16: Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders breaks a tackle by Jessie Bates #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals before being dragged down short of the goal line by Shawn Williams #36 during the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Darren Waller future tight end?

Jared Cook had a quiet day on Sunday and it remains to be seen if he’ll return to the Silver and Black after having his best season by far in his career. If he doesn’t indeed return to the Raiders, fans may have just caught a glimpse of his replacement on Sunday.

The dynamic playmaking of Darren Waller was on display against Cincinnati. His first impact play came off a jet sweep for 21 yards in the first quarter. Then in the second, Carr connected with Waller in what became a 44 yard catch and run to set up Oakland at the one-yard line (and subsequently the Lee Smith touchdown).

Waller has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career, but as Carr praised him after the game, “His speed stands out…You don’t see many tight ends, besides Cook, take it up the sideline). If Gruden likes what he saw out of Waller on Sunday, he’s got a good shot of holding down a roster spot in 2019.

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