Last Sunday against the Browns was the first game Maxx Crosby missed in his six year career. He fought through the injury the week before, missing an uncharacteristic number of snaps, and when he was in the game, he was clearly not himself.
After the game, I asked him how the ankle compared to the serious knee injury he played through last season, and the indication was that the high ankle sprain was worse in terms of his game experience.
We all know if it were up to Crosby, he would be out there playing. And probably wouldn’t miss practice either. Crosby discussed the decision to play last season against the Chiefs on that injured knee despite being listed as Doubtful on the final injury report, saying he told then GM Champ Kelly “This is my decision, I’m playing.”
With all due respect, @CrosbyMaxx is going to do whatever he wants 🤣@Raiders | @peter_king | @JimGrayOfficial | “Let’s Go!”
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Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco are clearly not letting Crosby call the shots on his injury status this time.
“It’s a long season,” said Pierce. “It’s an injury that…if you think about it, last year the injury happened later in the season, so we’re scrambling and scratching and clawing trying to get in the playoffs. Now, it’s early. If you can take advantage of the early games, early part of the season, get him healthy, got a bye week in the middle. At the end of the day, my job is to protect Maxx Crosby from Maxx Crosby. If it was up to Maxx, he’d be out there practicing every day and in every game and not miss one snap. We’ve seen that over the years. But as you look at the player, you look at the organization, you got to do what’s best for both. And that’s what we’re doing with Maxx.”
Media on hand at practice noted that Crosby is not at practice today. To that Pierce said Crosby is “still battling.”