At a Glance
- Maxx Crosby placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
- Raiders may use the top draft pick on a quarterback to fill a long-standing need.
- Other key players, Brock Bowers and Jeremy Chinn, also season-ended on IR.
- Why it matters: The move signals a rebuild, alters the Raiders’ draft strategy, and ends Crosby’s championship run.
The Las Vegas Raiders have officially ended Maxx Crosby’s season by placing him on injured reserve after a knee injury kept him sidelined for much of the year. With the team set to host the New York Giants on Sunday and face Kansas City the following week, the decision leaves the Raiders without their star pass rusher for the final two games.
Crosby’s Season-Ending IR Move
The Raiders released a statement saying that, after thorough consultation with top medical professionals, the decision was in the best interest of both the franchise and the player. The statement highlighted Crosby’s hard-fought battles on the field and praised his leadership.
Raiders’ Statement
> “After deliberate and thorough consultation with multiple top medical professionals, it became clear that this decision is in the best interest of both the franchise and the player,” the Raiders said.
> “Maxx is the ultimate warrior, and he has fought extremely hard to compete each week with his teammates since injuring his knee mid-season.”
> “We are grateful for his extraordinary contributions. He is a true Raider on and off the field – we look forward to his leadership and toughness into 2026 and beyond.”
The move followed a day earlier when the Raiders sidelined Crosby for the Giants game. Coach Pete Carroll, who had publicly supported the decision, denied any rift between Crosby and the organization.
Pete Carroll’s Comments
> “He’s been fighting his (butt) off the whole time,” Carroll said Friday.
> “He’s as good a competitor as you can be. You can’t battle more than he’s battled. He’d do anything to be able to be playing.”
Crosby, who has recorded double-digit sacks three of the past four seasons, has 10 sacks and a career-high 28 tackles for loss this season.
Other Roster Moves and the 2025 Draft
The Raiders’ decision to place Crosby on IR is part of a broader rebuild. Two additional key players were also season-ended on injured reserve earlier this week:
- Brock Bowers – Knee injury, two-time Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro last season.
- Jeremy Chinn – Back injury, started every game, will finish with 114 tackles, 3 for loss, and a sack.
| Player | Position | Injury | Season-Ending? | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxx Crosby | Defensive End | Knee | Yes | 10 sacks, 28 TFL |
| Brock Bowers | Tight End | Knee | Yes | 2× Pro Bowler, 1× All-Pro |
| Jeremy Chinn | Safety | Back | Yes | 114 tackles, 3 LFL, 1 sack |
With both the Raiders and the Giants at 2-13, the loser will secure the top overall draft pick. The Raiders could use that pick to address a quarterback need, perhaps selecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. After more than two decades without a playoff victory, the franchise is keen to make a significant impact.
Crosby himself has emphasized that winning is more important than the draft position. He said:
Crosby’s Statement
> “I don’t give a (expletive) about the pick. I don’t play for that. That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world, and that’s what I focus on every day and being a great leader and being an influence and on being that guy on a consistent basis for my team. The front office, the coaches, they do that.”
Despite his desire to finish his career with the Raiders, the team could trade him. Crosby signed a three-year extension on March 5 worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million guaranteed, briefly making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal runs through the 2029 season.
Key Takeaways
- Maxx Crosby is out for the season, leaving the Raiders without their premier pass rusher for the last two games.
- The Raiders are in rebuild mode, with additional key players placed on injured reserve.
- The top 2025 draft pick could be used to select a quarterback like Fernando Mendoza to address a long-standing need.
- Crosby’s contract and career ambitions highlight the tension between individual goals and team strategy.
The Raiders’ decision to move Crosby to injured reserve marks a pivotal moment in their rebuilding process. With the franchise eyeing a top draft pick and addressing critical positions, the future of the team and Crosby’s legacy will be closely watched as the season concludes.
