Tag: Christian Wilkins

No team in NFL more injury depleted than Raiders

A study shows the Raiders have more of their starting lineup either on injured reserve or OUT than any other team in the NFL.

Recently we did a dive into the injury issues that have occurred on the Raiders defense. And how more than half their defensive starters are either on injured reserve or have spent significant amounts of time sidelined by injury.

The question is, however, is whether the Raiders have had it worse than other teams in the NFL this season. Well, we have the answer. And with nearly 32% of their starting lineup OUT or on IR, it’s a decided YES.

According to a study by JPA Football, the Raiders are tied for the most week one starters either on IR or OUT this week. Take a look for yourself at the Raiders week one starters with the players not playing right now:

*Injured and then replaced in the starting lineup.

Adams, of course, was injured, then traded, but the result for the Raiders is the same.

The thing is, it’s probably for the best, honestly. Minshew was benched prior to getting injured and this team wasn’t going anywhere without a quarterback.

Raiders once promising 2024 defense obliterated by injury

There were high hopes for the Raiders defense this season. Then injuries hit and they just got worse and worse.

No defense came out of the 2023 season hotter than the one the Raiders were fielding. Over the stretch run under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, they were the best defense in football.

Then come 2024 it all fell apart.

The issues started before the season began and injuries were part of the problem.

A prominent role in the resurgent defense was Malcolm Koonce who had eight sacks in the final nine games coming off the left edge. And just prior to the start of the season, he suffered a season-ending knee injury that would require surgery.

His spot has been filled by a committee of four different edge rushers this season who have as many sacks combined (eight) in 13 games as Koonce had alone in the previous nine games.

Soon the Raiders would be without both their starting edge rushers. In week a week two win in Baltimore, All Pro Maxx Crosby would suffer a high ankle sprain that hobbled him in an ugly loss to the Panthers and then cost him the first game of his career. He would return the following week, but it was clear he was fighting through the pain each week since then. More on that later.

Another major piece to the Raiders strong defense last season was new safety Marcus Epps. Three games into what was to be a contract year for him in 2024, Epps was lost to an ACL injury. He has been replaced by Isaiah Pola-Mao and there has been a noticeable drop off in safety play as a result.

The biggest splash free agent addition in the NFL was the Raiders landing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He was supposed to complete the Raiders defensive line and make a formidable one-two punch with Maxx Crosby. Five games into the season, he went down with a broken foot and was lost for the season.

Adam Butler has done well stepping into a more prominent role, though it’s hard not to imagine how much better the line would be had he been able to team up with Wilkins. In just five games, the Pro Bowler had 11 solo tackles, which is *still* second most on the team among interior defensive linemen despite being without him for two months.

At the same time, starting linebacker Divine Deablo was in the midst of a three-game stint on the inactive list. Then backup Luke Masterson got injured too, leading to the team starting fifth round rookie Tommy Eichenberg.

Midway through the season, the cornerbacks went from healthy to nearly wiped out in an instant. Week nine in Cincinnati, just prior to the bye week, the team simultaneously lost starting cornerbacks Jakorian Bennett and Nate Hobbs.  Bennett is lost for the season with a shoulder injury and Hobbs’s ankle injury has had him out for the equivalent of a trip to injured reserve and is finally set to return this week.

There. was even a couple games there where the Raiders had no starting safeties on the field. Jack Jones got banged up as well and the Raiders had all reserves on the field, with no cornerbacks left on the roster should one of them go down with injury.

Which brings us to the most devastating injury news this team could have — Maxx Crosby is done for the season.

Crosby had done well to put his ankle injury behind him. Then last Sunday in Tampa, he got rolled up on again and re-injured it. This time there was no fighting through it. For the sake of his own long term health — and with the team long since eliminated from playoff contention — he shut it down and opted to have surgery.

That means more than half of the team’s starting defense has either been placed on injured reserve, or — in the case of Hobbs — spent the equivalent of a trip to IR sidelined this season.

Based on the way the Raiders have played overall this season, the defense probably wouldn’t have been able to save them. Particularly with regard to the play at quarterback. But it could offer some hope that should the bulk of those players return next season — presumably with a better QB — this team could bounce back quickly.

Christian Wilkins is helping Raiders even without playing Week 11 vs Dolphins

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins is on IR, and thus won’t play vs the Dolphins, but his intel on his former team could prove very beneficial.

Don’t let the 3-6 record fool you. The Dolphins team is very good. And the Raiders will have to use every advantage they can if they hope to pull out a win.

One advantage they will not have on the field with them is Christian Wilkins. The Pro Bowl DT is currently on injured reserve. But just because he can’t take the field, doesn’t mean he isn’t helping them.

When the Raiders take the field in Miami, they will be facing a team full of former Wilkins’ teammates playing for a staff of former Wilkins’ coaches. And they plan to get every bit of intel on the orange and aqua Wilkins can provide.

“Absolutely. We’re in the business of gathering information,” said Raiders DC Patrick Graham. “Christian [Wilkins], he’s a smart football player, he picks up on tendencies well. So, absolutely getting information from him.”

Wilkins was a first round pick by the Dolphins and spent the first five years of his career in Miami. The last four lining up across from Tua Tagovailoa in practice every day and the last two under head coach Mike McDaniel. So, he knows a thing or two about their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.

Certainly facing former players on other teams is nothing new. It happens every week practically. Sometimes it is quite beneficial. This could be one of those times.

Raiders 2024 midseason awards: Top newcomer, breakout player, best position group, more

It’s the midway mark for the NFL season. And it happens to also be the bye week for the Raiders. So, with that in mind, let’s dole out some awards.

It’s the midway mark for the NFL season. And it happens to also be the bye week for the Raiders. So, with that in mind, let’s dole out some awards.

This was an easy choice. Bowers has been on a record pace this season for rookie tight ends. His 580 yards receiving is best among tight ends and his 57 catches is second in the league at any position behind only Jets WR Garrett Wilson.

Not a lot of competition for this award. But prior to Wilkins’s injury he was one of the best free agent signings of any team this offseason. They’re hoping he can return this season.

He was benched four games into his rookie season. Now he’s playing at a high level as an earned starting cornerback. He hasn’t logged an interception, but he routinely shows great skills and sticky coverage on some very talented deep threats.

No Raiders players are either coming back from a major injury or coming back to previous from off of a down season. Perhaps that will change by season’s end, but for now, there’s simply no one who fits this award.

If you’d prefer to put Luke Getsy here, I get it. But, personally, I don’t think a lot was expected of Getsy. He was not nearly the Raiders top choice for the job and was somehow even worse. Minshew was expected to at least add a steady presence at QB to settle down the offense. He wasn’t seen as someone who would win games for the Raiders, but rather not lose them. And he hasn’t lived up to that.

Not only did he not jump in and take the reins of the offense in camp as the Raiders had hoped, he’s been benched several times this season as he has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (8).

When all else fails — and it has — at least the Raiders have their kick squad. Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole are still arguably the best kicking duo in the league.

You could also go with “Only good game” as the title of this award. That win in Baltimore looks more and more like a fluke the farther down the line we get from it. Their other win was because Deshaun Watson was so determined to lose it for the Browns. The Ravens game was the only game this season the Raiders actually went out and earned the victory. Not coincidentally, it was also the only game they increased their scoring in the second half.

There were many to choose from for this one. Just pick one, really.

Could go with the home opening loss to the Panthers in which they never led and Andy Dalton led offense to put up 33 points in in the first 47 minutes.

Maybe the Rams where the Raiders turned the ball over four times?

Perhaps the Chiefs game where the running backs averaged less than a yard per carry?

Or the Steelers game where Pittsburgh rattled off 26 unanswered?

Or the Broncos who had a 100-yard pick six and rattled off 34 unanswered?

There’s always this past week against the Bengals when the Raiders gave up scores on the Bengals first five drives — four of which went for touchdowns — and allowed a season-high 41 points?

Too many options to choose from to pick just one.

Best punter in the league. Periodt.

Yes, the best rookie has also been their best offensive player. Not ideal, but there’s no one else who is even a viable candidate for this award.

He won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the team’s come-from-behind win in Baltimore in Week two. He’s been battling an ankle injury for several weeks, which has limited his effectiveness, but he’s still their top defender.

Who steps up for Raiders with Christian Wilkins on injured reserve

The Raiders have a tough task trying to replace Christian Wilkins Sunday against the Steelers and for the next four weeks at least.

Some players are fairly irreplaceable. At least in terms of expecting the next guy on the roster to be able to offer anything comparable in terms of talent and production. Christian Wilkins is one such player. But the Raiders have no choice but to play who they’ve got and hope for the best.

The start DT was placed on injured reserve this week, which means he will be out at least four weeks srarting with Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

Four of the team’s five games this season it’s been Adam Butler who has aptly started alongside Wilkins and that will continue. The two were linemates in Miami in 2021. Filling in for Wilkins will take a village.

It means it will be a rotation which would be led out by John Jenkins, but include second year DT Nesta Jade Silvera, rookie Jonah Laulu and third year former fifth round pick Matthew Butler who was signed to the active roster off the practice squad this week.

“You can’t replace Christian Wilkins,” said Antonio Pierce. “But you can do yourself and be the best version of yourself and that’s what we’re going to ask them to do. Just do your job. When I asked them this week, just do right. Just do right. Don’t go outside the box, don’t be somebody else, don’t try to make that game-winning play or that game-winning tackle, just keep them linemen off our linebackers, get some knockback, and use your hands.”

Last week Laulu got 19 snaps, which was his most of the season. It was also the next most snaps after Adam Butler, Jenkins, and Wilkins. He figures to be the next man up this week as well. While Matthew Butler and Jade Silvera will rotate in as well.

“Matthew Butler has done an outstanding job,” Antonio Pierce said on Friday. He’s been on the practice squad, he’s been active throughout his career here and this is a great opportunity for him going forward to step up.

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins placed on injured reserve after surgery to repair broken foot

Raiders DT Christian Wilkins placed on injured reserve after surgery to repair broken foot

The injuries for Raiders star players continue to stack up. Christian Wilkins left Sunday’s game against the Broncos and didn’t return. It turns out he broke a bone in his foot that required surgery and has been placed on injured reserve.

A trip to IR means Wilkins will be out at least four weeks and there is currently no specific timetable for recovery. Though Wilkins thinks he’ll be back once he comes off IR.

“Christian right away went and got it fixed,” said Pierce. “Talking about he’ll be back in a couple weeks.”

The Raiders made Wilkins their big splash free agent addition this offseason, signing the former Dolphins star to a five-year, $110 million deal.

Wilkins will be replaced in the lineup by Adam Butler.

 

Former Tiger Christian Wilkins added to the injured reserve after surgery

Christian Wilkins is heading to the IR.

Tuesday brought unfortunate news for former Clemson defensive standout Christian Wilkins, who will be out indefinitely after sustaining a foot injury in the Las Vegas Raiders’ recent game against the Denver Broncos.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Wilkins, who suffered a Jones Fracture, is headed to injured reserve and will undergo surgery. This setback comes during his first season with the Raiders, following a major free-agent signing in the offseason.

In his first five games with Las Vegas, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Wilkins contributed 17 tackles, including two for loss, as well as two sacks and six quarterback hits. A former first-round pick in 2019, Wilkins spent the first five years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, where he recorded 353 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 43 tackles for loss across 81 games (77 starts) before joining the Raiders.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1843779347985170664

Steelers vs Raiders: Las Vegas places star defensive tackle on IR

The Raiders will take on the Steelers without star DT Christian Wilkins.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers square off with the Las Vegas Raiders this week, they will have one less star defender to contend with. On Tuesday, the Raiders placed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on IR.

Wilkins is on IR due to having surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot. He is out indefinitely and they team offered no specific timetable for a return. Wilkins came over to the Raiders this offseason from Miami Dolphins as one of the biggest free-agent signings of the offseason. He’s a former No. 13 overall pick.

The absence of Wilkins should make life easier for a Steelers offensive line that continues to shuffle starting spots and struggle with growing pains associated with two rookies as starters.

The Steelers defense is going to be short-handed as well. Head coach Mike Tomlin has ruled out edge rushers Nick Herbig and Demarvin Leal after both suffered injuries last weekend against the Dallas Cowboys.

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Ballers for Raiders Week 4 win over Browns

Sifting out the notable performances for the Raiders in their win over the Browns.

For the third week in a row, the Raiders went against the grain and shocked the world. Week two it was an improbably win in Baltimore. Week three they were trounced by the winless Panthers. And this week, despite a slew of injuries including to their two best players, they beat the Browns.

They did so by spreading out the Browns’ defense while the Raiders defense completely shut down the Browns offense after the first quarter.

We start with those who were most responsible for that big win.

Ballers

DE Charles Snowden

A month ago, Snowden was cut. Now he’s playing hero for a Raiders team desperate to replace both of the guys they were going to count on to be their starting pass rushers. His biggest play was the last one when he chased down Deshaun Watson on fourth and three to sack him and end the game.

How he even got there is the most impressive part. Snowden came around the right side on a stunt and Watson rolled left, running all the way to the left sideline and Snowden still caught him.

That wasn’t his only big play tho. Two plays before that, he got pressure and batted down a Watson pass. In total, he tied for the team lead with three QB hits and a tackle for loss.

S Isaiah Pola-Mao

That game-ending sack never would have happened if not for Pola-Mao. He made the tackle on the previous play, stopping it short of the sticks to force fourth down. Pola-Mao also made the big play on the Browns’ previous drive, flying over from center field to knock the ball out of the hands of Jerry Jeudy on what was actually a long catch for an instant. He also made the drive stalling tackle on the Browns’ second drive to hold them to a field goal.

WR Tre Tucker

Tucker had a hand in both of the Raiders touchdowns in this game. The first touchdown drive, he made a 14-yard catch on third and seven to keep the drive alive. Then finished it off with an end around from three yards out for the touchdown.

The second touchdown, he laid the final block near the goal line, driving his man out of bounds to ensure DJ Turner could get the final few yards to get in the end zone.

DT Adam Butler

With the leadership void due to the absence of Maxx Crosby, Butler stepped up. He gave a speech to the team inspired by his military upbringing. Then brought that passion to the field. The first third down of the game, he came flying into the backfield on a pass to absolutely bury Deshaun Watson. He was flagged for a horrible roughing the passer penalty, but so what. It wasn’t roughing and the message needed sent.

The next drive ended with a field goal in part because Butler got into the backfield again to make a run stuff for a loss and they couldn’t pick it back up.

The final play of the third quarter for the Raiders’ defense was a sack. Christian Wilkins and Janarius Robinson split credit for it, but Butler was in on it as well, coming right up the gut to ensure the sack sandwich from each side.

The final two Browns’ possessions at the end of the game, Butler had three tackles and a QB hit in which he had Watson wrapped up and off the ground right as the ball was released. The next play, the game was over.

Butler finished tied for second on the team in tackles (six) along with a QB hit (two really) and a tackle for loss.

RB Alexander Mattison

The running game came to life in this game. In part because of the use of jet sweeps and reverses to spread out the defense. But the only back on this team who was consistently making good use of it was Mattison.

He had three huge runs in this game on just five carries. All three of those runs was longer than any run the Raiders had had in the three game to start this season.

The first big run went for 24 yards — double the previous longest run coming in — and it set up the Raiders game-tying field goal before the half. His second big run went for 16 yards to the 19 and the Raiders scored the touchdown around the outside on the next play. His final big run went for 18 yards late in the fourth quarter to help take time off the clock and win the field position battle.

Mattison finished with 60 yards on five carries (12 yards per carry) and Antonio Pierce has said since then that he has earned more carries as a result.

LB Robert Spillane

Once again, Spillane led the team in tackles, putting up double digits for the fourth straight game this season. The first three of those tackles came on the Browns’ opening drive and all for three yards or less.

He made two stops on each of the Browns possessions in the second quarter, including a tackle for loss and a three-and-out.

S Tre’von Moehrig

He had the Raiders only takeaway, hauling in an interception off of Amari Cooper’s chest. It set up the Raiders final touchdown drive. Also on the final Browns drive, Jerome Ford burst for a 35-yard run that might have been a touchdown if not to Moehrig making the tackle at the 16-yard-line.

DT Christian Wilkins

Wilkins tied for the team lead with three QB hits. He also shared a sack and forced a holding penalty that called back a long touchdown that would have put the Browns ahead in the fourth quarter.

Honorable Mention

WR Jakobi Meyers — led the team with 49 yards on five catches and forced a pass interference.

WR DJ Turner — scored a touchdown on a reverse from 19 yards out and would have had a long catch as well, but the pass was overthrown.

TE Brock Bowers — Had a 12-yard run and made a huge block on two defenders that sprung Turner for his 19-yard touchdown.

TE Harrison Bryant — Had several nice blocks including on the 12-yard Bowers run and a 10-yard run that put the Raiders in first and goal on their first TD drive.

P AJ Cole — Two huge punts in the fourth quarter helped to keep the Browns from scoring and hold the Raiders’ 20-16 lead.

Continue to the Busters…

Raiders PFF grades: 5 highest rated from Week 4 vs. Browns

Raiders PFF grades: 5 highest rated from Week 4 vs. Browns

The Raiders beat the Browns on Sunday, but not until defensive end Charles Snowden sacked Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson in the game’s final seconds. But another Las Vegas EDGE player earned the top spot on Pro Football Focus’ weekly list of highest-graded Raiders.

It’s former first-round pick Tyree Wilson. He finished with an 82.7 grade to pace the silver and black.

Wilson didn’t make a large impact on Sunday with conventional statistics. He had one tackle and two QB hits. But it was easy to see that he provided pressure on passing downs early in the game. Plus, he played over 70 percent of the snaps on defense, so this grade is no fluke. If Wilson, the former first-round draft pick, can build off this performance, it could be huge for the Raiders.

Two more defenders made the list. Defensive lineman Christian Wilkins had his best game as a Raider and earned a 78.6 grade. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao entered the starting lineup in place of injured S Marcus Epps and was an immediate impact player, earning a grade just below Wilkins’ at 78.2.

Two players on offense closed the list out, and they both stepped up for injured teammates as well. Tight end Harrison Bryant subbed in for TE Michael Mayer, who was ruled out on Sunday for personal reasons. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers stepped up in the absence of injured star WR Davante Adams.

But no question, Wilson’s performance is the headline here. He’s underperformed in his short career, but he’s been dealing with injuries since the NFL Draft process. If he can provide a boost on the edge to help superstar DE Maxx Crosby when he returns from his ankle injury, the Raiders defense could take a massive leap forward.