Maxx Crosby – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Injury news: Maxx Crosby fighting high ankle sprain, Raiders defense flounders

Maxx Crosby says he’s fighting a high ankle sprain. Meanwhile Raiders defense looked lost.

One thing became apparent in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers and that was that the Raiders is not able to function at a high level if Maxx Crosby is not himself. He was obviously not right. And the Raiders got routed by the Carolina Panthers as a result.

No one really wondered if Crosby would play this week. He played through a knee injury last season that had him in the hospital two days before the game. That time he missed practice all week and was Doubtful for the game. This time he was limited all week and Questionable.

But it’s possible this time what he was dealing with was actually harder to fight through.

“It’s a high ankle,” Crosby said of his injury. “It’s shitty, but I’ll be good. I’ll be better.”

“It sucks. It’s unfortunate. I mean I hurt it literally the second to last play in Baltimore. Just part of the game, you know. Every time I go out there I’m going to try and be out there with my teammates. If I’m 100% or 50% it doesn’t affect if I’m going to go out there.”

Even a 50% Maxx Crosby is better than a lot of guys can do at 100%. But it’s possible that this defense can’t function at a high level with a 50% Maxx Crosby.

Every facet of this defense failed Sunday in the loss to the Panthers. They gave up chunks on the ground while Andy Dalton had a near perfect day through the air. Several times, enjoying lots of time to work.

The Raiders did have a couple sacks, but Crosby wasn’t involved in either one.

And when I say Crosby wasn’t involved, I don’t mean he just wasn’t the one who made the sack. I mean he wasn’t a factor at all in the sack. One was an unblocked blitz from Robert Spillane while the other was Christian Wilkins and Charles Snowden swarming on the right side to split the sack.

We’re talking about the AFC Defensive Player of the Week here. It’s highly unusual for Crosby not to be a factor to say the least.

It’s unusual for Crosby to come off the field at all. And he was on and off the field several times, which is a sure fire indication he was not right.

Without him, the defense was not the defense we had come to recognize over the past 12 games under Antonio Pierce.

“You can’t pinpoint one thing. A lot of things go on during a game. If you don’t play complementary football, you start slow, all those things don’t help, I know that.”

Antonio Pierce says some Raiders players made ‘business decisions’ in loss to Panthers

An emotional Antonio Pierce made a serious accusation about his Raiders players along with what sounded like a threat.

Post game after a loss can be an emotional time. And Antonio Pierce can be an emotional guy. He’s also an open and honest guy. It’s part of what his players love about him. If what he said after the Raiders ugly loss to the Panthers is more honesty than emotional reaction, there may be some players who have some explaining to do.

“There was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, suggesting a lack of effort. “And we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

That sounds a lot like a threat or possibly just a signal that there will be a move made, either with regard to who starts or possibly who is even on the team.

Several Raiders players were asked in the locker room about what Pierce could have meant by this, but none either knew or would say if they knew what Pierce or to whom he could be referring.

Right off the top of your head, your mind goes to star players, banged up players, and those on the final year of their contracts. But it would probably be irresponsible to list off all the players that would fit those descriptions considering this is all just hypothetical and we really have no idea.

It’s also possible this is just a knee jerk reaction by a fiery coach who still has the mindset of a player. Undoubtedly he will be asked about it again tomorrow to see if he either stands by it or backs down from it.

Injury update: Raiders DT Christian Wilkins, DE Maxx Crosby expected to play vs Panthers

The Raiders will have they interior and edge pass rushing duo together vs Panthers

When your team’s two best players both show up on the injury report, it can be a bit concerning. When they are officially Questionable for the game, it’s even more concerning. That was the case with Maxx Crosby (ankle) and Christian Wilkins (knee) this week.

Head coach Antonio Pierce said on Friday that Crosby would be playing in the game. So, barring any setbacks, Maxx was playing. Not a big surprise considering his history with playing through injuries.

“He hasn’t missed any practice,” Pierce said of Crosby. “So, regardless of what I want to do, I’ve got to fight 98 and everything that he does. But the ultimate warrior. I mean, you see it with the stats this year, he hasn’t missed a snap, and I don’t expect him missing Sunday, either. I don’t expect him missing Sunday.”

That just left the question of whether Wilkins’s knee would be healthy enough for him to go. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, he too will play Sunday.

https://twitter.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1837677379377860613

The Raiders have one of the league’s best defenses. That defense runs on its pass rush. Over the first two games, the two of them often set each other up for sacks and pressures.

“Just good chemistry,” Pierce said of Wilkins and Crosby. “And I think it’s an unselfish play by Christian, because there’s no sacks there, right? There’s not a lot of stats. We’re talking about Maxx Crosby, AFC [Defensive] Player of the Week. A lot of that’s coming because of what’s happening with Christian. Christian’s demanding too, right? He’s taking that guard and tackle, whatever it may be, and that’s freeing up Maxx winning these one-on-one opportunities. And Maxx is making the most out of it.”

4 things to know for Panthers vs. Raiders in Week 3

Panthers HC Dave Canales is hoping to alter his team’s fortunes beginning in Week 3.

Despite piecing together about as brutal of an 0-2 start as possible, the Carolina Panthers step into Week 3 with a little renewed hope—as a switch under center could result in a switch in fortunes.

But before we hit kickoff on Sunday, here are four things to know about this week’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders:

First-year matchup

Both Dave Canales and Antonio Pierce have entered 2024 as first-time full-time head coaches. And Week 3 will be the first time that either face a fellow first-year head coach.

Canales comes into the match looking for his first career win, whereas Pierce can snag his second this season and his seventh overall—with five coming in his interim role in 2023. Both are also looking to establish their cultures amidst a pair of shaky quarterback situations.

The Red Rifle

Speaking of shaky quarterback situations, the Panthers have decided to bench the struggling Bryce Young after just 18 career starts. They’ll now look to 14th-year veteran Andy Dalton for some form of offensive success.

Dalton made one start for Carolina in 2023, passing for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. So that success brings a bit of hope that the 36-year-old could unlock some functionality that we have yet to see from this offense in 2024.

Gladiator match

The major strengths for both teams reside in the trenches.

For Las Vegas, it’s on defense—where stars Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins reside. For Carolina, it’s actually been on offense—where this offseason’s investments into guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt have already begun to pay off.

Whoever can control the line of scrimmage, particularly in this battle, should have the advantage.

Tight history

Panthers-Raiders matchups are pretty rare, as the two teams have met just seven times. Las Vegas has the slight edge, carrying a 4-3 mark against Carolina heading into the weekend.

The Panthers can even up the all-time series by notching their first (and much-needed) win of the 2024 campaign.

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Key matchups for Panthers vs. Raiders in Week 3

The Panthers’ hog mollies will have their hands full in Las Vegas on Sunday.

If the Carolina Panthers are to lucky against the Las Vegas Raiders in Sin City on Sunday, here are four key matchups that will help them hit the jackpot . . .

Panthers RT Taylor Moton vs. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby

If Carolina wants to get its passing game going, they’ll have to keep Crosby away from new starting quarterback Andy Dalton as much as possible. That’ll be the primary job of Moton, who is coming off another tough assignment out of the AFC West in Joey Bosa.

The eighth-year hog molly, per Pro Football Focus, allowed zero pressures in the 26-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Panthers G Austin Corbett and RG Robert Hunt vs. Raiders DT Christian Wilkins

If Carolina wants to establish the run, then they’ll have keep Wilkins (if he plays) from eating up space. Just as a reminder, it was Wilkins who held the single-season tackles record for a defensive lineman before Carolina’s Derrick Brown broke it in 2023.

Like their line mate in Moton, both Corbett and Hunt have been reliable in passing game—as opponents have produced just one pressure against the duo. Hunt, in particular, is also thriving through the ground—as he’s earned a 73.8 run-blocking grade from PFF.

Panthers OLB Jadeveon Clowney vs. Raiders RT Thayer Munford Jr.

Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew has recorded 428 passing yards from a clean pocket, the third-highest such total thus far. So he may have himself quite a day against the Carolina defense, which has tallied only two takedowns of opposing quarterbacks.

Clowney has to get it going against Munford Jr., who has been charged with a pair of sacks entering Week 3.

Panthers ILB Shaq Thompson vs. Raiders TE Brock Bowers

Bowers is a pretty special talent at the tight end position, and the defensive deployments for the rookie have proven exactly that. The 13th overall pick, who is already at 156 receiving yards and 17 targets, has been lined up against linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties in his first two pro games.

The Raiders will probably try to get him matched with the ‘backers as much as they can on Sunday.

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Raiders, Panthers final Week 3 injury report: Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins both Questionable

Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins are both officially Questionable for Week 3 vs the Panthers

A couple of Raiders star defenders showed up on the injury report this week. The team’s biggest stars as it happens.

Both Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins were limited in practice all week. Crosby is dealing with an ankle injury while Wilkins has a knee injury. Both players are officially questionable for the game.

https://twitter.com/LeviDamien/status/1837237609212563524

Antonio Pierce seemed very confident that Maxx Crosby will play in the game.

Crosby’s play doesn’t usually suffer much from nagging injuries, though it’s certainly worth watching Sunday.

Tyree Wilson is also expected to play after missing last week with a sprained knee.

The status of Wilkins’s knee injury is less certain. He and Crosby have worked very well together on the line through two games, so it would be a big loss to not have Wilkins. Especially considering the lack of depth on the interior defensive line.

For sure not playing in this game is starting linebacker Divine Deablo. Luke Masterson will start in his place alongside Robert Spillane.

3 key matchups for Raiders vs Panthers

At first glance, it would appear the Panthers don’t have a lot going for them. That may be true. But they’re still an NFL team with NFL players who can jump up and bite you if you’re not careful.

And the Raiders may be coming off an impressive comeback win against the Ravens in Baltimore, but that doesn’t mean they’ve clearly established themselves as some elite team. They still have to prove it over the season with their opponents collecting more and more game tape on them.

These matchups could play a major role in the outcome of this game.

CB Jack Jones vs WR Xavier Legette

Legette was the Panthers’ top pick in this year’s draft. He led the team in catches (4) in the opener, but didn’t see a target last week in a loss to the Chargers. Now the Chargers have benched Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton, which figures to at least awaken the pass game. This would, in turn, see Legette get some more targets as their best receiver.

Legette will face off against a fiery competitor in Jack Jones who has great hands as well to make Dalton pay for any mistakes.

TE Brock Bowers vs Xavier Woods/Jordan Fuller

Woods and Fuller are the safeties for the Panthers. They will switch off in trying to keep the Raiders phenom tight end under wraps. Bowers has 15 catches already this season and is proving himself to be a top target for Gardner Minshew. You can bet on any given play either Woods or Fuller will guarding Bowers.

DE Maxx Crosby vs T Taylor Moton

Moton will be tasked with trying to keep Crosby from wrecking this game. The veteran tackle is no slouch. This is his seventh season as the Panthers’ full time starting right tackle. And he’s never missed a game. So, it’s safe to say there isn’t a caliber of edge rusher in this league he hasn’t faced. Including last week when he faced Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. The only sack allowed was not on Moton, but Bryce Young for not stepping up into the pocket.

Andy Dalton will need at least a bit of time to try and find an open receiver. He can’t be worrying he’s going to get smacked in under two seconds on every play or running for his life all day. That’s what Crosby did to Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson the first two weeks. Last week against the Ravens, he went on to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

8 new BreakingT shirts celebrating heroes from NFL Week 2 including Derek Carr and Justin Jefferson

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BreakingT has customized shirts available right now for star players that have stepped up across the NFL and all your favorite sports. Many such players captivated fans across the country this past weekend.

From Justin Jefferson’s big-play ability, Maxx Crosby’s game-breaking talents and even rookies standing out like Jayden Daniels. Which one should be the next addition to your collection?

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8 new BreakingT shirts celebrating heroes from NFL Week 2 including Derek Carr and Justin Jefferson

Check out some of BreakingT’s newest shirts following a star-studded NFL Week 2:.

There were superstar efforts across the NFL’s Week 2 landscape which means it’s time to add to the All-Pro lineup in your closet.

From Justin Jefferson’s big-play ability, Maxx Crosby’s game-breaking talents and even rookies standing out like Jayden Daniels. Which one should be the next addition to your collection?

Or which two or three?

Check out some of the best and latest roundup of BreakingT shirts on sale right now:

Minnesota Vikings | WR Justin Jefferson

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Washington Commanders | QB Jayden Daniels

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Las Vegas Raiders | DE Maxx Crosby

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New Orleans Saints | QB Derek Carr

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Kansas City Chiefs | DT Chris Jones

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Pittsburgh Steelers | K Chris Boswell

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8 new BreakingT shirts celebrating heroes from NFL Week 2 including Derek Carr and Justin Jefferson

Check out some of BreakingT’s newest shirts following a star-studded NFL Week 2:.

There were superstar efforts across the NFL’s Week 2 landscape which means it’s time to add to the All-Pro lineup in your closet.

From Justin Jefferson’s big-play ability, Maxx Crosby’s game-breaking talents and even rookies standing out like Jayden Daniels. Which one should be the next addition to your collection?

Or which two or three?

Check out some of the best and latest roundup of BreakingT shirts on sale right now:

Minnesota Vikings | WR Justin Jefferson

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Buffalo Bills | QB Josh Allen

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Kansas City Chiefs | DT Chris Jones

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