Maxx Crosby is banged up again, but the Denver Broncos should not expect any favors from the injury report.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ star edge rusher is dealing with a knee injury and has been on the Week 14 injury report, yet head coach Pete Carroll still expects him to play Sunday against Denver, according to ESPN reporter Ryan McFadden.
That comes just days after Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi called Crosby “the most disruptive defensive player in the NFL” while warning his offense not to be fooled by the Raiders’ 2-10 record.
Joe Lombardi Sounds Alarm on ‘Most Disruptive’ Defender
Speaking to reporters this week, Lombardi went out of his way to praise a Raiders defense that has quietly played well despite the losses piling up. He said he has “a lot of respect” for Las Vegas’ defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and made it clear Denver views Crosby as the centerpiece of that unit.
“I think Crosby’s the most disruptive defensive player in the NFL,” Lombardi said, noting that the Broncos expect his best effort on every snap and that he “causes a lot of problems” for opposing game plans.
Lombardi also pointed out that the Raiders gave Denver trouble in the first meeting — a 10-7 Broncos win in Week 10 — and that penalties and negative plays kept the offense “behind the sticks.” In that game, Crosby played every defensive snap and finished with five tackles as part of a group that held Denver to just 220 total yards.
The message from the Broncos’ staff this week has been consistent: ignore Vegas’ record, respect the defense and plan as if No. 98 will be full-go.
Pete Carroll Still Expects Crosby to Play vs Broncos
On the Raiders’ side, the concern is real but so is the expectation Crosby will gut it out again.
Crosby was limited with a knee issue on Wednesday, then missed Thursday and Friday’s practice entirely, raising questions about whether the four-time Pro Bowler had suffered a setback.
Despite that, McFadden reported on Friday that Carroll expects Crosby (knee) to play against Denver even after missing two straight days of practice.
That optimism fits Crosby’s track record. In 2023, he was listed as doubtful with a knee injury and missed practice all week before still suiting up against the Kansas City Chiefs, playing through pain in a season where he didn’t come off the field much.
This season, the 28-year-old has again been the engine of Las Vegas’ pass rush. Through Week 13, Crosby has 37 solo tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception, leading the Raiders in sacks and remaining one of the league’s most productive edge rushers on a struggling defense.
What Crosby’s Status Means for Broncos–Raiders
For Denver, the takeaway is simple: plan for Maxx Crosby at full speed.
The Broncos enter Week 14 at 10-2 and atop the AFC West, while the Raiders sit at 2-10 and are already out of the playoff race. But their first meeting this season was a reminder that records don’t matter much when Crosby is wrecking drives and the Raiders’ defense is locked in.
Crosby’s combination of motor and versatility forces Denver to account for him on every snap, whether he’s lining up on the edge or moving around the formation. Lombardi’s comments about mixing up looks against a familiar opponent only underline how much the Broncos tailor their plan around Crosby’s presence.
If he’s active on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS), Bo Nix and the Denver offensive line will again be dealing with a player their own coordinator has labeled the NFL’s most disruptive defender. If he’s not, it would be a massive break for a Broncos team trying to protect its path toward a top AFC seed.
Right now, though, both sidelines are preparing as if Maxx Crosby will be out there — knee, missed practices and all.
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