Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams, both multiple-time All-Pros, will not play for the Raiders when they face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, which is a significant blow for Las Vegas.
Tight end Michael Mayer will also miss the game due to personal reasons. Right tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (knee/ankle) and linebacker Divine Deablo (oblique) have not practiced this week and will also be out.
Crosby suffered a high ankle sprain two weeks ago against Baltimore and was visibly limited while playing on Sunday against the Panthers.
This will be the first game in his six-year career that Crosby, known for playing through injuries and being one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, will miss. It’s also the first game he won’t start since his rookie season in 2019.
The Raiders were already short at defensive end with Malcolm Koonce out for the season due to a torn ACL. Charles Snowden, Tyree Wilson, and Janarius Robinson will now need to step up even more.
Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce stated on Friday that he expects those players to be themselves and not try to replace Crosby.
“Just give us your best,” Pierce said. “Don’t try to be the hero of the game. Be a team player.”
Adams hurt his hamstring during practice on Thursday. As one of the top receivers in the NFL, Adams has 18 catches for 209 yards and a touchdown in three games. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in five of the last six seasons, finishing just three yards short of that mark in 2019.
Pierce mentioned he wasn’t sure how long Adams would be sidelined.
His absence puts more pressure on receivers like Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker to fill the gap.
