Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders

The 2025 NFL season took a turbulent turn for the Las Vegas Raiders in Weeks 9 through 13, as a sudden rash of injuries swept through the roster—sidelining 11 key players across offense, defense, and special teams. What began as a 6-3 start with playoff momentum quickly morphed into a test of the team’s depth, forcing backups, rookies, and position converts into critical roles. This stretch wasn’t just about filling gaps; it was about maintaining competitiveness while replacing starters who had accounted for 45% of the team’s total yards and 60% of its defensive stops. Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders explores how the Raiders navigated this crisis, the unexpected contributions from unheralded players, and the lessons learned about building a roster that can withstand the NFL’s physical brutality. For a franchise aiming to end a playoff drought, these injuries weren’t just setbacks—they were a defining measure of the team’s resilience.

Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders first focuses on the offensive side, where the Raiders lost three impact players in a two-week span. Starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a knee sprain in Week 9, sidelining him for four games; left guard Dylan Parham followed with a high ankle sprain in Week 10; and backup tight end Luke Musgrave entered concussion protocol in Week 11. With Garoppolo out, 11-year veteran Brian Hoyer stepped in, tasked with leading an offense that had relied on Garoppolo’s precision passing (67% completion rate pre-injury). Hoyer simplified the game plan, leaning on running back Josh Jacobs (who averaged 97 yards per game during the stretch) and short passes to wide receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow. The offensive line, meanwhile, shifted Alex Bars from right to left guard to replace Parham, and promoted Lester Cotton to right guard. Despite the changes, the offense averaged 22 points per game—down just 3 points from pre-injury levels—and won two of four games. “Injuries force you to focus on what you do well,” offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi said. “We didn’t ask Brian to be Jimmy, and we didn’t ask Alex to be Dylan—we asked them to play to their strengths. That’s how you survive a rash of injuries.”

The defensive unit faced even more severe depth challenges, highlighted in Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders, as six key defenders missed time during the stretch. Star slot cornerback Amik Robertson (12 pass breakups pre-injury) tore his hamstring; defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (8 sacks) and edge rusher Chandler Jones (10 sacks) dealt with calf and shoulder injuries, respectively; and linebacker Denzel Perryman (team-leading 78 tackles) entered concussion protocol. To compensate, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham reshaped the unit: Nate Hobbs, an outside cornerback, moved to the slot; journeyman Adam Butler filled in for Nichols; rookie Chris Smith II took over as the third cornerback; and Divine Deablo, a converted safety, shifted to linebacker. The defense didn’t collapse—instead, it allowed just 19 points per game (down from 21 pre-injury) and recorded 10 sacks. Hobbs tallied two interceptions in the slot, Butler added two sacks, and Deablo led the team in tackles twice. “Depth isn’t just about having extra bodies—it’s about having players who can adapt,” Graham said. “We draft for versatility, and this stretch proved why that matters. When you can move guys like Hobbs and Deablo to new positions, you don’t lose cohesion—you find new ways to compete.”

Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders also examines the impact on special teams, a unit often overlooked but critical to field position. Kickoff returner Tre Tucker (28.3 yards per return pre-injury) missed two games with a shoulder sprain, and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer sat out one game with the flu. Rookie wide receiver Tyron Johnson stepped in as returner, averaging 25 yards per return and setting up a touchdown with a 45-yard runback in Week 12. Practice squad long snapper Carson Tinker was promoted and executed all snaps perfectly, including on a game-winning field goal in Week 13. For the Las Vegas Raiders, special teams depth proved just as vital as offensive or defensive depth—keeping the unit consistent even when key contributors were out. “Special teams can swing a game with one play,” special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said. “We prep every player like they’re a starter, even if they only play 10 snaps a game. Tyron and Carson didn’t just fill in—they made plays that won us games. That’s the value of taking depth seriously.”

Another layer of the challenge, explored in Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders, was the “mental toll” of constant roster shuffling—keeping the team focused amid weekly changes to the lineup. Head coach Josh McDaniels addressed this by holding daily “unity meetings,” where players from all units (starters, backups, practice squad) shared stories of resilience. He also emphasized “process over results,” encouraging the team to focus on executing plays rather than worrying about who was on the field. The approach worked: the Raiders didn’t lose more than two consecutive games during the injury stretch, and team morale remained high. “Injuries can divide a team if you let them,” McDaniels said. “But if you frame them as a chance for everyone to contribute, they can unite you. Our guys didn’t point fingers—they stepped up. For the Las Vegas Raiders, that’s the kind of culture we’re building: one where everyone feels like they’re part of the solution, not just the problem.”

Looking ahead, Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders outlines how this stretch has reshaped the Raiders’ roster strategy. The team has identified key backups—like Hoyer, Hobbs, Butler, and Johnson—as priority re-signings, ensuring continuity in depth roles. They’ve also adjusted their draft approach, focusing more on players with positional versatility (e.g., defensive backs who can play corner and safety, linemen who can switch sides) to better handle future injury crises. McDaniels has also added more “scramble drills” to practice, simulating last-minute lineup changes to prepare the team for unexpected absences. For the Las Vegas Raiders, these changes aren’t just reactions to a tough stretch—they’re investments in long-term stability. “You can’t predict injuries, but you can prepare for them,” McDaniels said. “This season’s challenges taught us what we need to do better, and we’re already putting those lessons into action. Depth isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity if you want to win in this league.”

Rash of Injuries Challenges Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders concludes with a clear takeaway: the 2025 injury stretch didn’t break the Raiders—it revealed their strength. By leaning on versatile players, simplifying game plans, and fostering a team-first culture, the Raiders turned a potential disaster into a display of resilience. For fans, the stretch was a reminder that football isn’t just about star players—it’s about the unsung backups who work tirelessly in practice, the coaches who adapt on the fly, and the team that refuses to quit. As the Raiders head into the final weeks of the season, they carry with them the confidence that comes from overcoming adversity—a confidence that will serve them well in the playoffs and beyond. In the end, the rash of injuries didn’t just challenge the Las Vegas Raiders’ depth—it proved that depth, when paired with heart, is a winning formula.