Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels clears the air on Jimmy Garoppolo injury
The Las Vegas Raiders are going through OTAs without new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as he continues recovery from a foot procedure he underwent in March. The injury and the fact that it has him missing time was his teammates was a hot-button issue on Thursday but Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels assured the media numerous times that he “feels pretty good” about the situation.
“I have no anxiety,” McDaniels said in his Thursday press conference, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “You guys might have anxiety. I don’t have any anxiety.”
“I’m not going to put a timeline on it or a day or anything,” McDaniels continued. “But like I said, I have no anxiety. Feel pretty good about it.”
The Raiders skipper told reporters he’s currently focused on the things he can control, not the things he can’t. Although Garoppolo has not been on the field during OTAs, he’s been in meetings and rehabbing his foot at the facility throughout the offseason.
“Like I said, I have very good information that would tell me that we’re going to be fine,” McDaniels said. “So, again, nothing has happened that would’ve changed that. That’s why I feel that way.”
McDaniels: ‘Stuff’s being built’
McDaniels emphasized that just because Garoppolo hasn’t been able to play, it doesn’t mean he’s not building bonds with his new teammates.
“Again, we can’t control — this is football. There’s definitely going to be players that miss time,” McDaniels said. “I mean, Josh Jacobs wasn’t able to do a whole lot last year either and [he had] a decent year. So, again, I don’t want to overstate any of that stuff. The relationships, the trust, the communication, the rapport — all of that stuff’s being built. He’s here every day, obviously, and the guys are getting to know each other, which is a great thing.
“Like I said, I have no anxiety about it. I’m excited that he’s here — really excited that he’s here. And looking forward to it when he’s out there.”
As Garoppolo continues recovering, the Raiders are depending on veteran Brian Hoyer to lead the quarterbacks room. They also have Chase Garbers and fourth-round draft pick Aidan O’Connell to give reps to during OTAs.
Training camp doesn’t start until July, so there’s still plenty of time for Garoppolo to get back on the field and take the reins on the offense.