Las Vegas Raiders starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce suffered a knee injury on Friday was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least 4 weeks. Even worst, the team feels that the injury could be season ending.
We have signed DE Charles Snowden to the active roster and placed DE Malcolm Koonce on the Reserve/Injured list.
Additionally, we have activated CB Sam Webb from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/CUzviD6Cfp
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 7, 2024
It’s a tough blow for Koonce, who is coming off a career-best 8.0-sack season and was entering a contract year. Koonce, who played opposite three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
“Next-man-up mentality,” a downtrodden Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Friday.
The Raiders elevated defensive end Charles Snowden from the practice squad Saturday to give Crosby and fellow edge rushers Tyree Wilson, the No. 7 pick of the 2023 draft, and Janarius Robinson. Las Vegas also activated cornerback Sam Webb from the practice squad.
“Those guys will have got a lot of opportunities to play,” Pierce said, “and we expect them to step up and play well.”
Redemption time
Tyree Wilson was slowed as a rookie as he recovered from surgery on his right foot from an injury suffered in college and had just 3.5 sacks, 2.0 in the Raiders’ final five games. He seemed to have trouble with the speed of the NFL game. Finally he’ll have a chance to assert himself as a cornerstone on the Raiders defense.
After a healthy training camp, Wilson said he is eager to play.
“I’ve been practicing for my moment,” Wilson said Friday. “I hate it; Malcolm’s my brother. But this is the start of the season so I’ve got to go out there and represent, like he would want me to.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
