Expectations are excessive for the Raiders entrance seven in 2024, however the unit will likely be shorthanded to start the 12 months and probably properly into the season. Defensive finish Malcolm Koonce was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Because of this, he’ll miss at the very least the primary 4 weeks of the season. Koonce suffered a knee damage in follow this week, however his absence might stretch far past September. ESPN’s Paul Guiterrez reports the ailment could possibly be season-ending.
Dropping Koonce for any prolonged stretch would mark a notable blow to Vegas’ move rush. Maxx Crosby stays atop the depth chart, and the three-time Professional Bowler will likely be counted on to ship one other impactful marketing campaign this 12 months. Koonce was set to function as the opposite starter on the defensive finish spot, nonetheless, after he set quite a few profession highs in 2023. The 26-year-old noticed a significant uptick in utilization final season, logging a 44 % snap share and making 11 begins (after solely enjoying in a rotational capability throughout his first two campaigns).
Koonce produced eight sacks, 17 quarterback hits and 23 pressures in 2023, setting the stage for one more sturdy 12 months to conclude his rookie contract. The previous third-rounder was reported in July to be on the Raiders’ extension radar, and a second straight 12 months with sturdy manufacturing would have helped his worth significantly. Now, although, consideration will flip to restoration with workforce and participant hoping he’ll capable of return in some unspecified time in the future within the season.
Vegas chosen Tyree Wilson seventh general final 12 months with the hopes of utilizing him in a first-team position reverse Crosby. Issues didn’t go in response to plan, although, as Wilson recorded simply 3.5 sacks and logged a rotational workload. With Koonce out of the fold in the interim, the Texas Tech alum could possibly be in line for a bigger position than anticipated to start out the 2024 season.
In a corresponding transfer, the Raiders promoted Charles Snowden from the follow squad to the lively roster. The 26-year-old has solely made two regular-season appearances in his profession; they got here with the Bears in 2021. Snowden will likely be a candidate for a depth position, as will 2023 fourth-rounder Janarius Robinson. Vegas’ marketing campaign begins on Sunday towards the Chargers, however Koonce’s restoration timeline will show to be a key big-picture storyline for the workforce.