In five games this season, the Las Vegas Raiders are 2-3. This is Antonio Pierce’s first full season as head coach. Heading into Week 6, the Raiders have several problems they are dealing with. First, WR Davante Adams has requested a trade from the team. He is out again in Week 6 vs. the Steelers due to a hamstring injury.
Additionally, the team is still trying to find their starting QB. Gardner Minshhew has started all five games for the Raiders in 2024. However, Minshew was benched in Week 5 and Aidan O’Connell came into the game. Antonio Pierce said the two QBs will split reps at practice and they will determine later this week who the starter is. Finally, Raiders DT Christian Wilkins is headed to the IR after having surgery on his foot to repair a Jones fracture. Not ideal for the Raiders who are struggling defensively.
Christian Wilkins is headed to the IR for the Las Vegas Raiders
Sources: #Raiders star DT Christian Wilkins is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a Jones Fracture he suffered on Sunday.
Wilkins, Las Vegas’ big-money free agent acquisition, being out is a crushing blow in the middle of that defense. He’ll head to IR. pic.twitter.com/LdcTti9mqG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2024
With the 13th pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins selected DT Christian Wilkins out of Clemson. Wilkins spent the first five seasons of his career with Miami and was a durable player. The 28-year-old did not miss a game from 2021-2023. He started 51 straight games for Miami. Wilkins’ most productive season was in 2023 when he had (9.5) sacks for the Dolphins. This past offseason, the team traded Wilkins to the Raiders.
The talented DT was set to join Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby on Las Veags’ defeisve line. In five games this season, Wilkins has (2.0) sacks, 17 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and six QB hits. During Sunday’s loss to Denver, Wilkins initially felt discomfort in his foot in the first half. He played the rest of the game but needed Surgery later that day. Now, Wilkins is headed to the IR and will miss the next four games. Not ideal for a Raiders defense that has to face some tough offenses over the next four games. That includes the Rams, Chiefs, and Bengals.
