Las Vegas Raiders quickly addressed an issue that could have hurt them for the next few weeks
The Las Vegas Raiders encountered an issue this last week, right before their game with divisional rival Los Angeles Chargers, which saw the Raiders go on to lose on the road, or really at home in Los Angeles. Had the Raiders not addressed this issue, they could have really struggled the next few weeks against […]
The Las Vegas Raiders encountered an issue this last week, right before their game with divisional rival Los Angeles Chargers, which saw the Raiders go on to lose on the road, or really at home in Los Angeles. Had the Raiders not addressed this issue, they could have really struggled the next few weeks against great teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Luckily, the Raiders got right to it and addressed the problem.
Before the game, a few days prior actually, it was well known that edge rusher Malcolm Koonce, who finished with eight sacks last season, was going to miss Week 1 after a practice incident. He was then placed on IR, meaning he will not be able to play until Week 5, against the Denver Broncos.
Then, his replacement, Tyree Wilson, was hurt during the game, leaving Charles Snowden, a practice squad player, to get a ton of reps and struggle a bit. Now, the defense was fine, they actually played great. But, the Chargers offense isn't all that good.
On Monday during Antonio Pierce's day-after press conference, he let everyone know that Tom Telesco, the Raiders general manager, would be searching for a defensive end to bring in quickly as they prep for the Ravens, who are pretty good in the trenches.
On Tuesday, after a tryout, they signed K'Lavon Chaisson.
He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick, where he played from 2020 to 2023. His highest sack total in a season being two in 2023 shows that he hadn't quite lived up to expectations.
In the 2024 offseason, Chaisson signed with the Carolina Panthers on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. He was later released by the Panthers.
This move will help give them some time to get healthy in that position room while also not bringing up a player from the practice squad who simply isn't ready or just not good enough.
The Raiders have one of the best defenses in the league, and maybe the best defensive line in the league when Koonce is healthy. They need someone who can help Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins out, and they believe they brought in the right man for the job here.
