Tag: Maxx Crosby

3 Reasons for optimism as Raiders face off against Broncos

There are some reasons for optimism as Raiders face off against Broncos

Things may seem bleak at the moment for the Raiders. But their next opponent is plenty beatable. In fact, in many ways, these two teams are very similar. They even have the same record (2-2). So while there are some causes for concern, there are reasons for optimism as well.

Bo Nix still finding his way

Nix is a rookie starter and he’s has plenty of issues finding his footing in the NFL. He has thrown all of ONE touchdown pass all season to go with four interceptions. That ain’t great.

Last week the Broncos beat the Jets, but it wasn’t on Nix’s arm. He had just 12 completions in the game. He did throw is lone touchdown pass in the game, but it was to a wide open Courtland Sutton and his pass made the catch a lot harder than it had to be. The defense is carrying this team right now, but the Raiders just beat a team whose strength is defense, but whose QB lost the game for them.

Maxx Crosby might play

While we lament the sheer number of injuries on this Raiders team — and there are a lot of them — the most important player on the team returned to practice Friday and has a chance to play. His return to the lineup would be huge for this Raiders defense that were blown out by the Panthers when Crosby was hobbled and in and out the game with his high ankle sprain.

Crosby is officially Questionable for the game. And in the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance!”

Figuring out the ground game

Last week against the Browns, the Raiders seemed to figure some things out. They ended up eclipsing their entire season total rushing yards over the first three games. They did it in two ways — first by spreading the defense out with sweeps and reverses and second by handing the ball to Alexander Mattison.

This week they were making the change to giving Mattison the bulk of the carries anyway, but Zamir White and his three yards per carry aren’t even available.

Mattison put up 60 yards on five carries last week (12 yards per carry). It will be interesting to see what he can do with feature back carries. And if the Raiders can continue to be creative to keep the defense from stacking the box, they could be in business.

Raiders, Broncos final Week 5 injury report: Maxx Crosby Questionable

Maxx Crosby Questionable on Raiders injury report

Finally some good news on the Raiders injury report. After seeing their already lengthy list of injured players who missed practice get even longer on Thursday, Friday brought the return of some key players to practice along with the chance that they are able to play Sunday in Denver.

Most notable, of course, being Maxx Crosby who returned from his ankle injury Friday and is officially Questionable for the game.

Also returning to practice Friday after missing the first two practices of the week were LB Divine Deablo, G Dylan Parham, WR Tyreik McAllister, and LB Kana’i Mauga. All of whom are officially Questionable for the game.

Those officially out include WR Davante Adams (hamstrong), T Thayer Munford (knee/ankle), CB DeCamerion Richardson (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal), S Trey Taylor (knee), RB Zamir White (groin), and LB Luke Masterson (knee).

Replacing Munford at RT will be rookie DJ Glaze. Replacing TE Michael Mayer will be Harrison Bryant. Replacing WR Davante Adams is Tre Tucker. Replacing LB Luke Masterson is Tommy Eichenberg.

Out for the Broncos is RB Tyler Badie (back).

Injury update: Maxx Crosby returns to practice as Raiders prep to face Broncos

Maxx Crosby was back at practice Friday as Raiders prep to face Broncos

Maxx Crosby doesn’t like missing games. So much so that last week was his first missed game of his career. He especially hates the idea of missing games against rivals. So, it’s not surprising he’s doing everything he can to be available this week when the Raiders travel to Denver.

The sixth-year pro missed the first two practices this week, but was seen working on the side on Thursday. Friday, Antonio Pierce announced that Crosby was back at practice and will be listed officially as limited for Friday’s practice.

His official game designation will be known when the injury report is released, but his return to practice opens up the possibility that he could play Sunday against the Broncos.

Crosby has a high ankle sprain and it’s serious enough to have hobbled him in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Panthers, which led to him missing last week’s game against the Browns.

Last season Crosby had a serious knee injury that had him Doubtful for the team’s matchup with the Chiefs. He was even hospitalized because of it, but miraculously still started the game on Christmas Day and the Raiders went on to beat the Chiefs.

This week Antonio Pierce said he wants to “protect Maxx Crosby from Maxx Crosby” so this one will be a day-to-day situation.

3 Causes for concern as Raiders face off against the Broncos

The Raiders head to Denver to face the rival the Broncos with plenty on their minds

it’s a weird thing that the Raiders are coming off a win last week and yet this week hasn’t really felt that way. It’s been a week of negative distractions, particularly the Davante Adams trade request.

There is plenty to be concerned about for the Raiders as they head to Denver to face the rival Broncos. Here are the ones that top the list.

Mounting injury list

On Wednesday the Raiders had ten players, including eight starters who missed practice with injury to go along with a couple who are on injured reserve. Thursday, somehow that number of missing players jumped to 11.

That means the Raiders are basically missing HALF of their starting unit. Sure, they were missing many of them last week in the win over the Browns, but does anyone really believe the Browns didn’t do more beating themselves in that game than anything? Namely Deshaun Watson?

This is not the Raiders team that streaked late last season. Like, literally, it’s not the same guys out there. Namely they figure to be without their two star players, Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams. Hell, Adams is basically not even one of their star players anymore. He’s just awaiting which team he will be starring for next.

Denver Pass Rush

The Broncos are the best pass rushing team in the league. They lead the league with a 13.3% sack per dropback average. That means they sack the opposing quarterback once out of every 7-8 pass attempts. That’s insane.

And the Raiders have been particularly prone to being sacked this season. Gardner Minshew has been sacked 13 times this season already. He has been sacked on over 10% of his pass attempts.

And the thing is, for the Broncos, it isn’t just one guy. Or even two guys. They have six different edge rushers on their team with more than one sack.

Self Distraction

This is one distracted team right now. Their star receiver wants out, their star edge rusher missed his first game of his career, their head coach is punishing players for making “business decisions” in games.

The head coach, while preaching not riding the emotional ups and downs, is himself clearly letting both the wins and the losses affect him greatly — and the losses in particular causing him to say things he then must apologize for. All that plus this college recruiting scandal thing that popped up this week? Yeesh.

I mean, come on, Pierce is trying to preach focusing on beating Denver this week, but that would also require focusing on your own team chemistry. Their emotional leader isn’t there, and last week he wasn’t even in the locker room or the sideline. Arguably their best cornerback was benched for a half. And their usually calm, cool star receiver is as good as gone, but not technically, so the questions surrounding his trade request persist.

Raiders, Broncos Week 5 injury report: Raiders already long injury list grows longer

Raiders already long injury list grows longer

Funny how the Raiders can get a player back at practice, but the number of those missing from practice actually grew. That’s because while they got Kolton Miller back at practice, RB Zamir White is now down with a groin injury, as is LB Luke Masterson with a knee injury

Everyone else who missed practice due to injury on Wednesday was still missing Thursday.

Masteron was replacing Divine Deablo who is still missing with an oblique injuty. Which means if neither of them can go, the Raiders would have to dig even deeper into their linebacker depth chart.

Zamir White had been the team’s feature back the past four weeks, but was expected to see his snaps decrease in favor of Alexander Mattison.

Others still not practicing for the Raiders include starters WR Davante Adams (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal), T Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), T Thayer Munford, G Dylan Parham (Achilles), and DE Maxx Crosby (ankle).

4 Raiders defenders among NFL elite in key statistics

Four weeks into the season, a handful of Raiders defenders are distinguishing themselves among their peers.

We’re now four weeks into the season. That’s basically a quarter of the way through the NFL season. Thru those four games there are four Raiders defenders sitting among the NFL’s best in key areas.

LB Robert Spillane

Spillane has been on a tear this season. He has double digit tackles in every game, totaling 44 tackles in four games. That puts him third in the league in combined tackles. Here’s the top five:

Nick Cross — 47
EJ Speed — 47
Robert Spillane — 44
Zach Baun — 43
Logan Wilson — 43

CB Jack Jones

Few corners have been more stingy in coverage this season than Jones, who is fifth in the league in coverage DVOA over the first four weeks.

CB Jakorian Bennett

Bennett has been swatting down passes a lot this season. Several of them have been huge plays too. Last week he batted down a would-be first down throw midway through the 4th quarter with the Raiders clinging to a four-point lead. He also regularly sticks with receivers on deep routes to break up what would otherwise have been a long catch or even a touchdown.

In total he has five pass breakups in four games. Which is tied for sixth in the NFL. Here’s the company he keeps:

Paulson Adebo — 7
Brian Branch — 7
Denzel Ward — 7
Zyon McCollum — 6
Quinyon Mitchell — 6
Jakorian Bennett — 5
Michael Jackson — 5
Jaylen Watson — 5

DE Maxx Crosby

Even while being hobbled for one game and missing last week entirely, Crosby is still among the league leaders in tackles for loss. His five tackles for loss this season is tied for fifth.

Kyle Van Noy — 7
Aidan Hutchinson — 6
Patrick Jones — 6
Devonte Wyatt — 6
Maxx Crosby — 5
Dennis Gardeck — 5
Gregory Rousseau — 5
Jared Verse — 5
Bobby Wagner — 5
TJ Watt — 5

Raiders, Broncos Week 5 injury report: Maxx Crosby among 8 Raiders starters missing

Maxx Crosby, Kolton Miller among 8 Raiders starters who missed practice Wednesday

Quite an injury report for the Raiders heading into Week five for the Raiders. In total they were missing ten players, eight of whom are starters.

Among those not practicing for the Raiders are starters WR Davante Adams (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal), T Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), T Thayer Munford, G Dylan Parham (Achilles), DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), and LB Divine Deablo (oblique).

Limited were RB Zamir White (groin), LB Luke Masterson (knee), and S Isaiah Pola-Mao (personal).

Several of these players missed Sunday’s game against the Browns including Adams, Mayer, Munford, Crosy, and Deablo.

Raiders approach to Maxx Crosby injury status to ‘protect Maxx… from Maxx’

Raiders approach to Maxx Crosby injury status to ‘protect Maxx… from Maxx’

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.”

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.”

Raiders defense took Maxx Crosby absence as personal challenge in win over Browns

Proving you can perform without your best player is easier said than done. But the Raiders defense did just that without Maxx Crosby Sunday.

For the first time in five years, the Raiders defense took the field to start a game without Maxx Crosby. The last time that happened was October of 2019, which means there isn’t a player on this defense who has experienced it in a Raiders uniform. So, it was definitely an unfamiliar experience.

There was no choice in the matter. The Raiders had to figure it out. That goes for everything Crosby represents with this defense. Their emotional leader and keep the Browns from doing to them what the Panthers did last week.

Early on it, this one had a ‘her we go again’ feel to it. The Browns scored a touchdown on the opening drive and were up 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. But you could tell on that second drive, the defense was figuring things out. They gave up just one first down on the second drive and stalled the drive after that.

Then they went the rest of the game without giving up a point and went on to beat the Browns 20-16. The six points were scored off a fumble return for a touchdown.

The defensive line led the way in this effort. Including Christian Wilkins who had a sack and three QB hits.

Wilkins’ knew that stepping up to this challenge would start even before that first step onto the field. It began in the locker room. And with Crosby out, it was Wilkins’s duty to be the emotional leader.

He didn’t have to do it alone, though. Adam Butler took it upon himself to speak to the team and offer some words of inspiration as well.

Butler was raised in a military family, so he had a simple question for his teammates. 

“As the bullets are flying, what are you willing to put on the line?” Butler asked. “I just put that question up in the air and I made a deal with them, I said I won’t let you down if you don’t let me down. I’m going to fly to the ball and you fly to the ball. And we’ll come out victorious and that’s what we did.”

Butler held up his end. He made several key stops, finishing the game second in tackles (6) along with a tackle for loss and a QB hit.

In the end, it was one of those edge rushers tasked with filling in for Crosby who slammed the door on the Browns. 

In fourth and three, with the game in the balance, Deshaun Watson escaped out left, looking for a receiver or to take off and run for the first down. But Charles Snowden made sure neither could happen. He chased Watson down and sacked him to end the game.

Snowden said he and his fellow edge rushers took it as a personal challenge to step up in Crosby’s absence.

“We knew that not one of us was going to become Maxx Crosby overnight,” said Snowden. “We knew that would take the collective with his playmaking and his energy and just his presence. Maxx is always getting guys going with his energy out there so we knew we had to just collectively had to really do that.”

Snowden finished tied for the team lead with three QB hits to go along with his sack, a tackle for loss, and a batted pass. Janarius Robinson shared a sack, Tyree Wilson had two QB hits, and practice squad call up K’Lavon Chaisson added four tackles.

Deshaun Watson was held to 176 yards on the day with one TD and one interception. It looked for a moment like he might have a long TD to Amari Cooper, but a holding on Wilkins is what allowed him just enough time to get the pass off and thus wiped it away.

And the collective effort of those stepping up to fill the void left by Crosby’s absence is what eventually preserved the win.

Raiders Week 4 inactives vs Browns: Maxx Crosby not suiting up

Maxx Crosby not suiting up for Raiders vs Browns after being listed as Doubtful for the game

With the way the injury report was looking, you knew a few names who would be showing up among the inactives for this game.

LB Divine Deablo
WR Davante Adams
CB Decamerion Richardson
LB Kana’i Mauga
T Thayer Munford
TE Michael Mayer
DE Maxx Crosby

One of the names that had everyone wondering a bit was Maxx Crosby. Despite head coach Antonio Pierce announcing him as OUT for the game, he showed up on the injury report as Doubtful.

Some might remember him showing up as Doubtful for a game last season and still playing. That game he literally ended up in the hospital with a knee injury, but still took the field.

Not this time, however. His high ankle sprain is just too limiting and the Raiders sat him down to recover.

With so many injuries to starters, some guys will make their debut including RB Dylan Laube and WR/KR Tyreik McAllister.