Raiders offensive coordinator says Hunter Renfrow ‘not deterred’
Sep 20, 2023, 1:00 PM
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Las Vegas Raiders and teammates huddle in the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Two years ago, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow set multiple career highs, including receiving yards (1,038), touchdowns (9) and receptions (103).
But, an injury-plagued 2022 limited the 27-year-old receiver to only 10 games, a career low. And when he was present, he wasn’t his productive self, totaling only 330 receiving yards, 36 receptions and two touchdowns, also all career lows.
Over the summer, Renfrow talked about having fun in the 2023 season, and controlling what he can control. Through two games, it’s hard to imagine he’s having a lot of fun.
Renfrow was not targeted in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. In Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, he recorded one catch on one target, for 23 yards. Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, while talking to the media Tuesday, said Renfrow was a part of the game plans for Weeks 1 and 2, but “it is what it is.”
“We always look to get everybody involved. Hunter was a big part of the game plan Week 1 and Week 2, and every player in the skill position will be in Week 3. He’s not deterred, and we’re not deterred,” Lombardi said. “We’re just going to go out there and keep going and try and get some production. And really at the end of the day, we care about team production and not individual production. So, if we’re 7-of-8 on third down and he doesn’t have a target, or Davante [Adams] doesn’t have a target, they’d much rather win the game than get the individual production. But you’re right, we have to do a better job of sustaining drives and getting more plays in games, therefore more targets and more opportunities come up throughout the game.”
Raiders head coach had similar thoughts, saying Renfrow has done his job through the first two weeks, but “there’s been some missed opportunities on our part.”
“We got to do a lot of things better. He should have gotten the ball more than he did [Sunday],” McDaniels said. “I think there were more opportunities than that, but protection has to be good, reading the coverage has to be good, blitz pickup; there’s a lot of things that will happen before any receiver or tight end will get the football. Much to improve upon, but I’m not concerned about Hunter.”
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