The Oakland Raiders felt they had so much receiver depth that they traded Louis Murphy to the Carolina Panthers in the preseason. That depth has been tested early this season, now it sounds like one key player may not return at all.
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Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Thursday via CBSSports.com that there is a "strong possibility" wide receiver Jacoby Ford will be placed on injured reserve following foot surgery. (Translation: Ford will be placed on injured reserve.) It's unclear if Ford could be "designated to return" later in the season, but Ford clearly won't be around for a while.
The team was hoping Ford, Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey would form an explosive starting combination. Moore missed all of the preseason and Week 1 with a hamstring injury, although he may be back this week against the Miami Dolphins.
Undrafted rookie Rod Streater will have a bigger role throughout the year with Ford on the shelf. Streater had only 27 receiving yards in the season opener despite seeing 10 targets sent his way.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
