Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders received a major blow ahead of their critical AFC West matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, with the team announcing three key players have been ruled out due to injuries. The list includes starting right guard Alex Bars (knee sprain), backup defensive end Tyree Wilson (ankle injury), and special teams ace Brandon Bolden (hamstring strain)—all of whom play vital roles in the Raiders’ game plan. The absences come at a pivotal time, as the Raiders are fighting for a wildcard spot and need a win over the Chiefs to stay in playoff contention. Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down each player’s importance, the gaps their absence creates, the team’s contingency plans, and how this could shift the dynamic of Sunday’s game.

Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the most impactful loss: right guard Alex Bars. Bars, who has started all 13 games this season, has been a steady force on the Raiders’ offensive line, allowing just 1 sack and committing 2 penalties all year. His ability to both pass-block and run-block has been crucial for an offense that relies on balance—Kirk Cousins’ 92.3 passer rating is 15 points higher when Bars is on the field, and Josh Jacobs averages 4.1 yards per carry behind Bars’ blocks (compared to 3.2 when he’s off). Bars suffered a knee sprain in Wednesday’s practice after being rolled up on by a teammate, and an MRI confirmed he’d miss at least two weeks. “Alex is the glue of our interior line,” said offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. “He communicates well, he’s consistent, and he makes everyone around him better. Losing him against a Chiefs defense that has Chris Jones—one of the best interior pass rushers in the league—is a huge challenge.” The Raiders’ offensive line, already struggling with injuries this season, now faces its biggest test yet against a Chiefs defense that ranks 8th in the NFL in sacks (34).

Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders next focuses on the loss of backup defensive end Tyree Wilson, which deepens the Raiders’ pass-rush depth concerns. Wilson, a 2023 first-round pick, has served as the primary backup to Maxx Crosby, playing about 30% of defensive snaps and recording 2 sacks and 8 quarterback pressures. His absence means the Raiders will have to rely more on rookie Malcolm Koonce and recently re-signed Clelin Ferrell to spell Crosby—a risky move against a Chiefs offense that loves to keep quarterbacks in the pocket with quick passes. Wilson injured his ankle in last week’s win over the Broncos, and while initial reports suggested he might be a game-time decision, the team opted to hold him out to avoid further damage. “Tyree was starting to find his rhythm—he had a sack and a pressure last week,” said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “Losing him means we have fewer options to keep Maxx fresh. Maxx already plays 70% of snaps, and against a Chiefs team that runs a lot of plays, we can’t afford to have him wear down in the fourth quarter.” The Raiders’ pass rush, which ranks 26th in the NFL with 21 sacks, now has even less margin for error against Patrick Mahomes, who has been sacked just 24 times this season (tied for 12th-fewest in the league).

Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders also explores the impact of special teams standout Brandon Bolden’s absence. Bolden, who joined the Raiders in free agency this offseason, is a core member of the kickoff and punt return units, and he also plays a key role in kickoff and punt coverage. He leads the team in special teams tackles (8) and has helped the Raiders rank 11th in the NFL in opponent kickoff return average (21.3 yards per return). Bolden strained his hamstring during a punt coverage drill on Thursday, and while the injury is minor, the team decided to rule him out to prevent it from lingering. “Brandon is irreplaceable on special teams,” said special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. “He’s our best coverage player, and he’s also a leader in that room. Losing him means we have to shuffle our units—guys who haven’t played as much on special teams will have to step up. Against a Chiefs team that has a dangerous returner in Kadarius Toney, that’s a big concern.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, special teams have been a bright spot this season, but Bolden’s absence could turn that strength into a weakness—especially if Toney breaks a long return to set up easy points for the Chiefs.

Another layer of Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders is the team’s contingency plans to fill these gaps. To replace Bars at right guard, the Raiders will start veteran Kevin Zeitler, who was signed midseason and has played in 6 games this year (2 starts). Zeitler, a 11-year veteran, has experience against the Chiefs—he played for the Browns and Ravens, who face Kansas City twice a year—and has allowed just 1 sack in his starts. The team will also use guard Dylan Parham as a backup, giving them two options if Zeitler struggles. For Wilson’s spot, Graham plans to rotate Koonce and Ferrell, with Koonce playing on early downs (to help with run defense) and Ferrell on third downs (to focus on pass rushing). Ferrell, who returned to the Raiders last month, has 1 sack and 2 pressures in his two games back, and coaches are hopeful he can step up in a bigger role. On special teams, the Raiders will move wide receiver Hunter Renfrow into Bolden’s coverage spot and use running back Zamir White as a backup on kickoff returns. “We have a plan for every scenario,” said head coach Josh McDaniels. “We signed veteran players like Zeitler and Ferrell for moments like this—they have the experience to step in and get the job done. We’re not making excuses; we’re just focusing on executing our plan.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, these adjustments will require players to step outside their usual roles, but the team is confident in its depth—even if it’s being tested.

Three Players Ruled Out Ahead of Game for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the stakes of these absences for the Raiders’ playoff hopes and the broader AFC West race. A win over the Chiefs would move the Raiders to 9-5, tying them with Kansas City for first place in the division, while a loss would drop them to 8-6 and put their wildcard spot at risk. The injuries add another layer of difficulty to a game that was already expected to be a slugfest, but the Raiders are framing it as a chance to show their resilience. “Adversity is part of the NFL,” said Cousins. “Every team deals with injuries—what matters is how you respond. We have guys who are ready to step up, and we’re going to go into Kansas City and play our best football.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, the three players ruled out are a setback, but they’re not a death sentence. If Zeitler can hold his own against Jones, if Koonce and Ferrell can provide pass-rush support, and if the special teams unit can avoid mistakes, the Raiders still have a chance to pull off the upset. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on how the Raiders’ replacements perform—and whether they can help the team keep its playoff dreams alive.