Roy

Helu

Helu signed a “two-year, $4.1 million contract” last March, but was absolutely dreadful in 2015. He underwent surgery on both hips in the offseason, and the Raiders made it clear he wasn’t in their future plans. Headed into his age-28 campaign, Helu offers theoretical bounce-back potential as a pass-catching back, but has always struggled to stay healthy. The fact that he contributed nothing to a shaky backfield last season bodes very poorly for his NFL future.

He will likely be released with an injury settlement at some point during camp. Signed by Oakland to a two-year, $4.1 million deal last offseason, Helu couldn’t stay healthy and required surgery on both of his hips in February. The Raiders will move forward with DeAndre Washington behind Latavius Murray.

Helu is still working his way back from a pair of surgeries on both of his hips. He needs to get healthy quickly, as he’s already considered to be on the roster bubble. Helu is still just 27, but his light is fading fast.

Helu missed OTAs after offseason surgery. He should be cleared for the start of camp, but his roster spot’s in danger. DeAndre Washington saw reps with the first team this spring and projects to open as the No. 2 back.

That includes Roy Helu, who missed OTAs after offseason hip surgery. Helu was expected to have a major role on passing downs in his first year in Oakland but essentially disappeared, accruing just 26 touches over nine contests. He’ll need a strong showing at camp to preserve his roster spot.

Helu needs to get healthy first and foremost after undergoing surgery on both of his hips back in February. He’s expected to be ready for the start of camp but faces an uphill climb for a spot, even in what looks like a shallow backfield. Latavius Murray is the starter, Taiwan Jones the special teams ace, DeAndre Washington an upside rookie, and Jalen Richard an undrafted rookie.

It may be because Helu isn’t even taking part in OTAs due to offseason surgeries on both of his hips, but more than likely the Raiders have moved on without him. Once healthy, Helu is a candidate for release. The Raiders appear happy, for now, with rookie DeAndre Washington and vets Jamize Olawale and Marcel Reece behind Latavius Murray. The Raiders are a team that could add a back.

Both finally resumed practicing Wednesday. It’s been increasingly common for coaches this year to use the media in an effort to motivate injured players back into practice. Del Rio stated Helu and Moore are “clearly running short of time” to establish roles before Week 1. Moore has lost his starting job to Malcolm Smith. Helu is still the favorite to back up Latavius Murray.

“He’s very smart, so he’s going to be great in protection,” Carr said. “He’s also a very good receiving back -- very good hands. He has a good feel in the screen game. There’s a lot of things that he does really well.” Helu has missed time in training camp with a hamstring injury, but he is back practicing and should open the season as the No. 2 behind Latavius Murray. With the Raiders likely to be trailing in a lot of games, Helu could have a bigger role than expected.

The hamstring injury kept Helu out of Oakland’s second preseason game. After signing a two-year, $4.1 million deal this offseason, Helu remains the favorite to back up Latavius Murray. Helu may siphon passing-down work from Murray.