Tag: Malcolm Koonce injury

Raiders DE Malcolm Koonce to have season-ending knee surgery

Raiders DE Malcolm Koonce to have season-ending knee surgery

Just prior to the start of the season, Malcolm Koonce suffered a knee injury in practice that had him placed on injured reserve. That designation would have had him out at least four games. But it turns out the injury is more serious than that. According to multiple reports, he will be having surgery on his knee that will end his 2024 season.

Koonce came on strong the latter half of last season and was entering a contract year with the hopes of earning a long term deal. This puts a damper on that as well as the hopes he and Maxx Crosby would continue to be a pass rushing duo for the Raiders again this season.

With Koonce now done for the year, the team will hope 2023 seventh overall pick Tyree Wilson will start showing some development. The other pass rushers in the rotation are Janarius Robinson and Charles Snowden with former first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson on the practice squad.

Raiders send DE Malcolm Koonce to injured reserve, sign practice squad DE Charles Snowden

Malcolm Koonce heads to injured reserve and is replaced on the roster by practice squad DE Charles Snowden

As of two days ago, it there was no reason for concern for the health of Malcolm Koonce. Then on Thursday he left practice with knee soreness. By Friday he was ruled OUT for the Raiders season opener against the Chargers. And Saturday he headed to injured reserve.

Koonce will be out at least four games with his injury.

The third year edge rusher broke out the latter half of last season, putting up eight sacks in nine games. He flourished under Antonio Pierce as head coach and was expected to be a big part of the defensive success again this season opposite Maxx Crosby.

To replace Koonce on the roster, the team signed Charles Snowden off the practice squad.

Expected to step up for Koonce is the combo of Janarius Robinson and Tyree Wilson. Robinson and Charles Snowden both showed out in the preseason, earning Robinson the right to be the next man up, and Snowden a spot on the practice squad and now on the active roster.

Raiders vs Chargers final Week 1 injury report: Malcolm Koonce, Jackson Powers-Johnson both OUT

Malcolm Koonce, Jackson Powers-Johnson both OUT for Raiders vs Chargers

The final injury report for the Raiders and Chargers is out and as expected, Malcolm Koonce (knee) is OUT. But he isn’t the only one. He will be joined by rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) and rookie fourth round CB DeCamerion Richardson (hamstring).

https://twitter.com/LeviDamien/status/1832169943477129399

Rookie fifth round pick Tommy Eichenberg (knee) is officially Questionable for the Raiders.

The Chargers will be without starting receiver DJ Chark for the game. Which means the starting receivers will be Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer.

They also have a couple cornerbacks who are questionable, including starter Asante Samuel who was limited Friday with a shoulder injury.

Raiders lose DE Malcolm Koonce to knee injury, will miss season opener vs Chargers

DE Malcolm Koonce suffered a knee injury in practice this week and will miss season opener vs Chargers

Thursday, Raiders edge rusher Malcolm Koonce left practice with a knee injury. And Friday head coach Antonio Pierce announced Koonce will miss Sunday’s game in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Koonce came on strong late last season with eight sacks in nine games as the starting edge rusher opposite Maxx Crosby. Now the Raiders will look to one of the team’s reserve edge rushers to fill in at the last minute.

“When one guy’s (down), next man up mentality,” said Pierce. “The thing about it, Tyree Wilson, JRob [Janarius Robinson], those guys have had a lot of opportunities to play and we expect them to step up and play well.”

This is a significant loss for the Raiders. He and Crosby had formed a significant duo last season and were the primary factors in this Raiders defense stepping up and being among the best in the NFL over the latter half of the season.

Wilson was selected with the seventh overall pick in last year’s draft and has largely been a disappointment so far. They would certainly like it if he could start living up to that, but there’s been no indication he will. Janarius Robinson has looked much better, including dominating preseason play this year. Question is if it will translate when facing a starting offensive unit.