The Las Vegas Raiders are now the “walking dead.” It’ll be easier to name who won’t be playing Sunday than who is. Sit down, this is a rough one. Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, Michael Mayer, Divine Deablo, and Decamerion Richardson are all out against the Cleveland Browns. For Crosby, this is his first missed game of his career. Crosby, Adams, Deablo, and Richardson are out with injuries while Mayer is out for “personal reasons.”
This Changes Everything
Crosby has been a human dynamo for the Las Vegas Raiders since entering the league. He’s played through many injuries and has never missed any time. A high ankle sprain bringing him down is shocking given the terrible knee injury he played through last season.
The Raiders were favored against the Browns this Sunday before the announcement. It’s almost impossible to favor the Las Vegas Raiders now given this news. This changes everything because these are the best players on the team. Losing Adams and Crosby is critical to the Raiders’ keys to winning.
Richardson Still Hasn’t Debuted
As concerning as losing several key starters is, it’s also troubling to see Richardson is once again out. He was a key draft pick in this year’s draft but still hasn’t debuted. Given how shallow the secondary is especially with the season-ending injury to Marcus Epps, the Las Vegas Raiders need all hands on deck.
Also what’s concerning is that the Las Vegas Raiders never put Richardson on IR. He could’ve been placed on IR which would’ve sat him for four games and freed up a roster spot to somebody healthy. He’s now missed the first four games of the season while holding onto a valuable roster spot.
Is This Related to ‘Business Decisions?’
We all must wonder, is this related to Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce’s quote about players making “business decisions?” The Raiders got smacked by the Panthers last Sunday, and since then it’s been a firestorm for the media. Everybody has been questioning Pierce’s quote about the team, and since then it’s been “handled in-house” according to the coach.
It’s just a little bit suspicious that after Pierce comes up with the quote about “business decisions,” several players now are missing Sunday’s game. Including Crosby who’s never missed a game in his career. This also likely won’t do anything to help with the trade rumors that constantly circle Adams.
It’s Time To Panic
Previously, it was said that it wasn’t time for the Las Vegas Raiders to panic. Now, the alarm bells must be sounding. “Business decisions” were followed by a team meeting where the team “got things off of their chest, and things were said that needed to be said.” Now several key starters are missing the very next game.
This sounds like the situation from last season under former Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Josh McDaniels. Concerning injuries, a letdown against a worse team with a backup QB, and a team meeting where “things were said that needed to be said” happened then too. Pierce’s job is on the line here like McDaniels’ job was before the Detroit game, but this is all extremely concerning.
