With only three healthy wide receivers able to play Sunday evening against the Chicago Bears, it really seemed like a matter of when not if the Oakland Raiders would make a move to bolster that position group.
That move officially came down Tuesday afternoon, when Head Coach Jon Gruden announced that the team had acquired wide receiver Zay Jones from the Buffalo Bills.
"We did add a receiver in a trade last night," said Gruden Tuesday. "We traded Buffalo to get Zay Jones, a young man we liked coming out of East Carolina, who's got some production in the league."
As Gruden acknowledged, Jones has indeed been productive since he entered the league as a second-round draft pick in 2017, leading the Buffalo Bills in receptions a year ago, as well as hauling in five touchdowns in the month of December – tied for the league lead during that time.
"I like him. He was a very productive guy in college," Gruden said. "He played in the slot. He played split end and flanker. Tough guy. Smart. I just think he has a lot of natural skills that were really well worth looking into, and with all our injuries, I really credit Mike Mayock, his staff for the two trades that we've made. Trevor Davis has really paid big dividends for us, and we expect more of the same from Zay."
Jones' addition to the active roster is important for numerous reasons, but it could be an early indication that the trio of Dwayne Harris, J.J. Nelson and Tyrell Williams are not as close to returning as previously thought.
"Those are three veteran receivers that we expected to play, and not sure of their status, but we have to get ready to play Green Bay," explained Gruden. "They [Green Bay] play a lot of bump and run, a lot of man-to-man, so we'll start teaching Zay the plays, and all that good stuff after we're done with this."
For his career, Jones has appeared in 36 games with 27 starts, hauling in 90 catches for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns; he'll likely participate in his first practice in Silver and Black early next week when the team returns from the bye.
In exchange for Jones, the Raiders sent a 2021 draft pick to the Bills.
Take a look at the top photos from this past Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the Raiders beat the Chicago Bears in London.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) enters the stadium before the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders huddle before the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders huddle before the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders huddle before the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner talks with defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73), defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) and defensive end Arden Key (99) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) before the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) before the snap during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 12-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 12-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 12-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 12-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates his 12-yard touchdown run with tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates his 12-yard touchdown run with tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) celebrates a 12-yard touchdown run during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a PAT during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) celebrates with linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with Head Coach Jon Gruden during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) runs after intercepting a pass during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrates a 3-yard touchdown run during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrates a 3-yard touchdown run during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrates his 3-yard touchdown run with tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) and defensive end Josh Mauro (97) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders huddle during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders offense lines up before the snap during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders defensive tackle Corey Liuget (94) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders defensive end Josh Mauro (97) and safety Karl Joseph (42) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders defense lines up before the snap during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) returns after a kickoff during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block for quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Raiders huddle during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) runs after making a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) celebrates with defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrate a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after the regular season game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
