ALAMEDA — Wide receiver Andre Holmes’ four game suspension ended with the completion of the Raiders fourth game. Therefore, he’s good to go for the rest of the season.
Holmes arguably was the Raiders best receiver during training camp and exhibition games. Regardless, he has the ability and experience to add some juice to the receiving corps.
The question is, who’s reps does he take? Rod Streater, Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford and Brice Butler all played quite a bit against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. Juron Criner was not activated for the fourth straight game.
It’s safe to assume that Holmes will get playing time. Moore has been the Raiders most productive receiver so far. Streater is the other starter, though he hasn’t been a huge factor this season.
That leaves Ford and Butler to surrender some playing time if the Raiders are to get Holmes involved in the offense.
Holmes gives the Raiders another deep threat, a receiver that can make plays in traffic and over smaller defenders. He showed that ability throughout camp and in exhibition games.
At some point, the Raiders need to make a roster move to accommodate Holmes on the 53-man, active roster. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
Though it’s easy to speculate and say Criner would be the logical choice, that’s not apt to happen. The Raiders haven’t given up on Criner. He just isn’t viewed as one of their four best receivers right now.
It makes far more sense for the Raiders to cut someone such as guard Lamar Mady.
Holmes hasn’t been allowed to practice with the Raiders since his suspension for violating of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs kicked in at the tail end of training camp. He likely will be at practice Wednesday.