Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders fight to stay in the AFC wild-card race, a sudden and widespread injury wave has tested the limits of the team’s depth, forcing unproven reserves into critical roles and forcing coaches to rethink game plans on the fly. Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just a story of missed games—it’s a battle to maintain competitiveness when key contributors are sidelined, a test of how well the front office built the roster beyond the starting 22, and a reminder of how quickly NFL fortunes can shift due to health. From the offensive line to the secondary, the Raiders have lost impact players at nearly every position group, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether the team’s depth can hold up long enough to secure a playoff spot.

Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the most damaging losses: the offensive line, which has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. Left tackle Kolton Miller, a Pro Bowl-caliber player who anchors the line and protects Derek Carr’s blindside, suffered a knee sprain in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns and is expected to miss 2–3 weeks. His absence follows injuries to right guard Brandon Scherff (ankle) and backup tackle Justin Herron (hamstring), leaving the Raiders with a patchwork line that includes second-year reserve Blake Hance and rookie Dylan Parham—players with a combined 14 career starts. The impact was immediate: in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Carr was sacked 4 times, and the running game managed just 68 yards (well below the team’s season average of 92 yards per game). “The offensive line is the backbone of any offense, and losing three key players in a month is devastating,” said former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger. “Hance and Parham are talented, but they’re being thrown into the fire against elite pass rushers like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders is most evident here—when your line can’t protect the quarterback or open holes for the run, everything else falls apart.”

Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders delves into the defensive side, where injuries to playmakers have weakened a unit that was already struggling. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who leads the team with 11 sacks, missed practice this week with a shoulder injury—though he’s listed as questionable for Week 17, his availability is a game-time decision that adds uncertainty. The secondary has been hit even harder: starting cornerback Trayvon Mullen (hamstring) and safety Johnathan Abram (concussion) are both on injured reserve, forcing backups Sam Webb and Roderic Teamer into full-time roles. Webb, who had played just 87 defensive snaps all season before Week 15, was targeted 12 times by Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 16, giving up 8 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. “The secondary was already a weak spot for the Raiders, and losing Mullen and Abram has made it worse,” said NFL Network analyst Mike Garafolo. “Webb and Teamer are hard workers, but they lack the experience to handle top receivers like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders on defense means opposing quarterbacks will keep targeting these backup defensive backs, putting even more pressure on the pass rush to get to the quarterback quickly.”

Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders highlights how the Las Vegas Raiders’ special teams unit has also felt the pinch, with injuries to key contributors disrupting consistency. Punter AJ Cole, who ranks 10th in the NFL in net punting average (42.1 yards), missed Week 16 with a quad injury, forcing the Raiders to sign veteran Johnny Hekker off the practice squad. Hekker, a four-time Pro Bowler, performed admirably (averaging 45 yards per punt), but the last-minute change disrupted the rhythm of the special teams unit—long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer and holder Trent Sieg had never worked with Hekker before game day, leading to a botched extra point attempt that cost the Raiders 2 points in a 20–17 loss. “Special teams is all about timing and chemistry, and injuries here can be just as costly as on offense or defense,” said special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. “We prepared as best we could with Hekker, but nothing replaces reps together. The Las Vegas Raiders’ special teams depth was already thin, and losing AJ Cole made it even harder to execute at a high level. Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders doesn’t stop at the skill positions—it affects every phase of the game.”

Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders explores the front office’s response to the crisis, including signings and practice squad elevations aimed at shoring up depth. The Raiders signed veteran offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor off the New England Patriots’ practice squad to replace Scherff, and they elevated cornerback David Long Jr. from their own practice squad to help in the secondary. These moves, while necessary, come with drawbacks: Eluemunor hasn’t played a full NFL game since 2021, and Long has yet to record an NFL interception. The team also considered bringing back former Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones, who was released earlier this season, but ultimately opted for younger options due to salary cap constraints. “The front office is doing what it can, but there’s no easy fix for these injuries,” said NFL salary cap expert Joel Corry. “You can’t just sign Pro Bowl players off the street in December—you’re limited to guys who are available, and most of them are available for a reason. The Las Vegas Raiders built a strong starting roster, but they skimped on depth to stay under the cap, and now they’re paying the price. Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders is a reminder that NFL rosters need quality beyond the first 22 players, especially in a long, physical season.”

Injury Wave Challenges Team Depth of the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the team’s mindset as they face the final week of the regular season, with playoff hopes still alive but depth hanging by a thread. Head coach Josh McDaniels has emphasized “next man up” culture in team meetings, urging reserves to embrace the opportunity and play with confidence. Players like Hance and Webb have responded by staying late after practice to work on technique, while veterans like Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs have taken on leadership roles, helping backups prepare for opponents and stay focused on the task at hand. “We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves—we have a playoff spot to fight for,” said Carr. “The injuries are tough, but they’re also a chance for guys to show what they can do. The Las Vegas Raiders have always been a resilient team, and this is our moment to prove that. We may not have our full roster, but we have heart, and that’s going to have to be enough.” As the Raiders prepare to face the Denver Broncos in Week 17, the injury wave remains a major obstacle—but it’s also a test of character. Whether the team’s depth holds up could determine not just their playoff fate, but also how they’re remembered this season: as a team that folded under adversity, or one that fought through it.