On October 29, the Las Vegas Raiders published their Week 9 injury report and star pass rusher Maxx Crosby didn’t fully participate in practice due to a back injury. As a result, the Silver and Black could take the cautious approach and keep him out of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If the Raiders can’t count on Crosby on November 2, it means other players on the defensive line will need to step up. One player who will look to rise to the occasion is Tyree Wilson.
The 25-year-old has two sacks this season and will need to boost that production up if Crosby cannot go against the Jaguars. On October 29, Wilson spoke about how the defense will look without the star edge rusher to put that consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback.
“I’m not going to say Maxx being out [now] I got to be Maxx Crosby,” Wilson told reporters. “I’m still going to be myself, but with him being out, he brings an energetic piece to practice, flying around to the ball and talking that.
“With me coming in, I’ve got to step into a role where I make the plays he isn’t making and bring energy to the D-line, defense, and the whole team. I’m just trying to be myself while filling that role as well.”
Raiders Defense Will Need to Stop Travis Hunter
Moreover, this game against Jacksonville will see Willson and the Raiders’ defense face two-way player Travis Hunter. Ahead of the Week 9 game, head coach Pete Carroll was asked about facing the impressive rookie.
“He’s not just a good fast kid that can play ball,” Carroll said on a recent episode of “1 on 1.“ “He’s got great instincts. That’s why he could play on both sides of the football. I remember asking him at the combine, ‘Are you worried about playing both ways?‘ He said, ‘Heck no, I’ve always played both ways. ‘ He wasn’t even concerned about it.
“That’s the kind of guy who has the savvy and awareness that make him unique and special, and why they went so hard after getting him. He’s the centerpiece of their offense and, in particular, defense. Maybe they’re cutting back a little on that, but offensively, he did really well last week. He’s not just a catch guy; he’s a catch-and-run guy, and he blocks, too. He’s got a good mentality about him.”
Las Vegas Have a New Offensive Weapon
Wilson and the Raiders team will also have a new teammate, potentially playing against the Jaguars. On October 27, Las Vegas announced the signing of veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who reunites with Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith.
Lockett started the 2025 NFL season with the Tennessee Titans but requested and was granted his release on October 20. Ahead of his potential Raiders debut, Carroll spoke about the arrival of the former Seattle Seahawks star.
“High hopes for him and high hopes for us that we can make a good connection here, “ Carroll said on the latest episode of “1 on 1.” “It’s a lot to ask a guy to jump in and be a regular player in a week’s time, but he’s going for it and we’ll see what happens by the end of the week. He’s in here over the weekend as soon as he found out that he was going to be a Raider.
“He’s a marvelous football player and a tremendous person; he’s one of the real natural ball players—he’s got great sense and feel and has always demonstrated that. Geno knows him really well. They’ve played together for quite some time, and there’s a chemistry between them that maybe can give us a little edge that we haven’t had with the younger guys who have been playing.
“We’ll see what happens and hold out good hopes for this to help us. I’m really excited for Tyler to be with us again, in a place where people love him, know who he is and what he’s all about, and hopefully our fans will be able to see that.”
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