Worst tragedy: Antonio Pierce raiders recieves terrible medical report of the season as key man damaged completely with horrible injury huddle” out of the season” could be difficult one to replace…
Henderson, Nevada A team source verified on Friday night that Malcolm Koonce, a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, is sidelined for the entire season as a result of a knee injury he sustained during practice three days prior to the team’s season opener.
Koonce, coming off a career-best eight sacks and three forced fumbles in 2023 and into a contract year, was placed on injured reserve Sept. 8. Starting opposite three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby in Koonce’s place during the team’s opening two games was Charles Snowden.
Second-year defensive end Tyree Wilson injured his knee in the team’s opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers, so Las Vegas signed former first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson to the practice squad. Chaisson was later promoted to the 53-man roster and saw action against the Ravens before being placed back on the practice squad, though he may be promoted again.
Wilson, the No. 7 overall pick of the 2023 draft, will return to play in the Raiders’ home opener against the Carolina Panthers at Allegiant Stadium this weekend, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said.
Koonce, 26, was seen wearing a sleeve on his right knee the day before his noncontact injury.
Crosby has all three of the Raiders’ sacks through the first two games and is the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week after racking up six tackles, including four for loss, with two sacks and a pass deflection while playing every defensive snap of the Raiders’ 26-23 win at Baltimore.
He suffered an injury to his left ankle on the second-to-last play of the game, though, and is officially questionable to play against the Panthers after practicing in a limited fashion this week.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz was first to report Koonce was out for the season.
