Coincidentally or not, the Las Vegas Raiders have not won a game since wide receiver Jack Bech suffered a broken arm in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. But his minimum stint on IR has expired, and head coach Klint Kubiak has suggested he could play Sunday against the New York Jets.
At minimum, Bech will add a body to a wide receiver rotation that badly needs bolstering. No offense to Cody White, but he had to play entirely too much in the first two games that Bech missed before seeing a reduction in the last two.
Bech did not put up big numbers in the two full games he played before being injured, with five catches for 48 yards, but he did have a touchdown. He's also a willing and effective run blocker, which can only help that struggling area of the Raiders' offense. His return will be welcomed with open arms.
Jack Bech's return to action will be welcomed by the Raiders' offense
As mentioned, Kubiak has been consistently optimistic that Bech will be able to play against the Jets on Sunday. What that looks like in terms of sheer snaps is unclear, but on Wednesday, Kubiak had plenty of general praise for the second-year receiver.
"I would start with the energy he brings to our team, his love of the game, his work habits," Kubiak said. "He just has a whole other aura about him when he’s on the field, and his teammates feel it. Coaches feel it. He’s a really solid run blocker; he’s got strong hands. Really happy to have him back out there.”
Regarding Bech probably being the best run blocker among the Raiders' wide receivers, Kubiak acknowledged that while praising the work wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni is doing with the group as a whole in that area.
"I think that’s a great point. I think he has a lot of value [as a blocker], but I would also say the receivers who have been blocking before have been doing a really good job. Coach (Zach) Azzanni is as good as it gets with every detail of the game, especially the run game, and his guys are extremely well-prepared.”
Quarterback Kirk Cousins is no stranger to praising Bech, so it was no surprise he also had some good things to say.
"Jack has quickly come back. He keeps a positive attitude. It’s good to have him back out there today. You have to keep going in this league no matter what happens around you, but it’s always fun to get guys back who you’re like, Oh yeah, that was great to have them (speaking of Bech and Dont'e Thornton) in there after they haven’t been around for a few weeks. I love getting guys back like that.”
The Raiders have unsurprisingly shifted to using Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor as clearly their top two wide receivers. But they are also a similar type of receiver, so some diversity will be welcome, if not necessary, going forward.
Bech plays like a tight end in wide receiver's clothes. And while he has not been officially activated yet, as of this writing, what Bech brings to the table will be a nice addition to the equation, whether it happens this week or not.
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