Andre Holmes Injury: Updates on Raiders Star's Hand and Return

Andre Holmes made himself a valuable target for young quarterback Derek Carr in 2014, leading the Oakland Raiders with 693 receiving yards last season. Now, Carr and Co. will have the wideout for Week 1 against Cincinnati after he recovered from a broken hand. 

The Raiders confirmed Holmes was active for the contest, with returning for the opener always being the goal. On Aug. 19, Bill Williamson of ESPN reported Holmes could be ready for the contest.

While Holmes isn't going to be Carr's top option this year once the team used the No. 4 overall pick on former Alabama wideout Amari Cooper and signed Michael Crabtree, he is an important part of the team's plans at the position and gives the Raiders solid depth out wide.

His 47 receptions and four touchdowns weren't great marks last year, but he showed good chemistry with Carr and his solid size and catch radius made him a nice weapon in the red zone. With Cooper and Crabtree starting, and Rod Streater and Holmes available as well, the Raiders came into the 2015 season with the wideout position as one of the team's strengths. 

Holmes' return is good news for the Raiders. He gives the team another weapon for defenses to worry about in three- and four-wideout sets.