The Las Vegas Raiders’ injury crisis deepens with the latest blow to their defense. On Saturday, the team announced that defensive end Maxx Crosby would be out for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to an ankle injury. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter soon reported that Crosby might need ankle surgery, potentially ending his season.
In an Instagram post, Crosby confirmed the grim news, revealing that the injury occurred after a brutal chop block in the game against Tampa Bay. Despite the severity of the injury, Crosby vowed to never back down. “Some will say I should rest and get ready for next year, but I’m not that person,” he said. “I’ve got a team that made it possible for me to keep going, even when I wasn’t fully healthy. I will always fight through the fire, because this game is my life.”
Crosby also promised to come back stronger. “I believe everything happens for a reason,” he wrote. “I won’t make excuses—I’ll get this surgery and come back stronger than ever. If you doubt me, just watch.”
This marks a difficult turn for Crosby, who has never missed a game in his career until now. His absence for the final four games of the season signals how serious the injury is. While it’s a disappointing end to a challenging season for Crosby, it’s better for him to fully recover and return at full strength next year.
The Raiders’ defensive line, once a strength, has been decimated by injuries. Starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce was placed on season-ending IR before Week 1, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was sidelined after only five games. With three starting defensive linemen out for the year, it’s no surprise that the Raiders’ season has been derailed.
