ALAMEDA –- Raiders receiver Rod Streater missed his third straight practice on Friday, validating what an NFL source told CSN Bay Area on Thursday night.
The third-year pro will not return this season.
Streater is at the tail end of a 21-day practice window allowed while on short-term injured reserve, and must be activated or placed on season-ending injured reserve on Monday. The Raiders are expected to select the second option.
[BAIR: Raiders have 'concern' Streater may not return this season]
Streater was held out this week with foot soreness, a setback in his recovery from a foot surgery. He originally suffered a fractured foot in a Week 3 loss at New England.
Streater felt good in last week’s practice, but soreness prompted the Raiders to put on the brakes. With the Raiders season long since lost and just three games remaining – he obviously wouldn’t be ready for Sunday’s road game at Kansas City – a late return wasn’t worth another setback.
The Raiders have not formally announced a decision on Streater, though interim head coach Tony Sparano said he was concerned that the receiver’s season was finished.
It’s a disappointing end for a player who worked hard to return this year. Streater led the team with 60 receptions for 888 yards and had four touchdowns. He had nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in three games this season.
Streater will become a restricted free agent at season’s end. The Raiders are expected to offer him a contract tender. Streater’s designation allows the Raiders to match an offer from another team, and would receive draft picks based on the contract tender.
