Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders push through the final stretch of the regular season and vie for an AFC playoff spot, the team has confirmed set absences for several key members—dealing a blow to their on-field consistency but also testing the depth of their roster. These absences, stemming from a mix of lingering injuries, league protocol violations, and personal matters, force head coach Josh McDaniels to adjust game plans and rely on backup players who’ve seen limited action this season. While the news is disappointing for Raiders Nation, it also presents an opportunity for emerging talent to step up and prove their worth. Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down the key players sidelined, the reasons behind their absences, the impact on the team’s strategy, and how the Raiders plan to adapt in their absence.

Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders starts with the most impactful absence: star wide receiver Davante Adams, who will miss the next two games due to a knee sprain sustained in the Raiders’ Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The team’s medical staff confirmed Adams underwent an MRI that revealed a mild sprain, and while surgery isn’t needed, he’ll be sidelined to avoid further injury. Adams, who leads the Raiders with 98 catches, 1,240 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns this season, is the focal point of the offense—his absence leaves a massive gap in the passing game. “Losing Davante is tough, no question,” McDaniels said in a press conference. “He’s our top playmaker, and we rely on him to draw double teams and create opportunities for others. But this is why we build depth—we have guys who can step up, and we’ll adjust our scheme to play to their strengths.” Adams’ absence is especially critical as the Raiders face the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos in their final two regular-season games—both must-win matchups for playoff contention.

Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders highlights another significant absence: starting linebacker Denzel Perryman, who will miss at least one game due to a personal family matter. The team announced Perryman’s leave on Monday, noting that he’ll be excused to tend to a “private family issue” and that there’s no set return date yet. Perryman, a defensive leader with 86 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception this season, is a key part of the Raiders’ run defense and a vocal presence in the locker room. His absence leaves a hole in the linebacker corps, which has already dealt with injuries to Cory Littleton earlier in the season. “Denzel’s family comes first, and we fully support his decision to take the time he needs,” said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “We have confidence in players like Divine Deablo and Luke Masterson to fill in, but Denzel’s experience and leadership are hard to replace. We’ll adjust our defensive calls to lean into their strengths—Deablo’s speed and Masterson’s tackling ability.” The Raiders’ defense will need to step up without Perryman, especially against the Chargers’ running back Austin Ekeler, who has rushed for 890 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders delves into the absence of backup running back Ameer Abdullah, who was placed on the NFL’s Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, ruling him out for the Chargers game. Abdullah, who has rushed for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns while also contributing on special teams, is a key backup to starter Josh Jacobs. With Abdullah sidelined, the Raiders will turn to rookie Zamir White and veteran Brandon Bolden to spell Jacobs—both of whom have limited carries this season (White has 32 carries for 120 yards, Bolden has 18 carries for 75 yards). For the Las Vegas Raiders, Abdullah’s absence tests the depth of their running game, which has been a strength all season (ranking 8th in the NFL with 132.5 rushing yards per game). “Ameer is a reliable player who gives us a spark when Josh needs a break,” said running backs coach Taylor Embree. “Zamir and Brandon have been working hard in practice, and this is their chance to show what they can do. We’ll adjust our run game to fit their styles—Zamir is a power runner, Brandon is more of a scatback—and make sure we keep the offense moving.” The Raiders will need their backup running backs to perform well, as Jacobs has been dealing with a minor ankle injury and could see limited snaps to stay fresh.

Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders explores how the Las Vegas Raiders are adjusting their game plan to account for these absences, focusing on scheme changes and player rotations. On offense, without Adams, McDaniels plans to shift to a more run-heavy attack, leaning on Jacobs and the backup running backs to control the clock. He’ll also look to tight end Darren Waller and wide receivers Hunter Renfrow and Mack Hollins to step up in the passing game—Waller has 45 catches for 510 yards this season, while Renfrow and Hollins have combined for 68 catches and 820 yards. Defensively, without Perryman, Graham will use more nickel packages, bringing in an extra defensive back to help with pass coverage and relying on the defensive line to generate pressure and limit opposing running backs. “Adjusting to absences is part of the NFL,” McDaniels said. “We can’t make excuses—we have to play with the players we have, and we’ll put them in positions to succeed. This is a test of our team’s resilience, and I know our guys are up for it.” The Las Vegas Raiders have also added depth by signing free-agent wide receiver Pharoh Cooper and linebacker Jayon Brown to the practice squad, giving them additional options if needed.

Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders concludes with the potential impact of these absences on the Las Vegas Raiders’ playoff hopes and the silver linings that could come from them. If the Raiders can win their final two games without Adams and Perryman, it will prove their roster depth and resilience—qualities that are critical in the playoffs. It also gives young players like White, Deablo, and Hollins a chance to gain valuable experience, which could pay off if the team makes a deep playoff run. “Every challenge is an opportunity,” said team president Sandra Douglass Morgan. “Our guys have faced adversity all season, and they’ve risen to the occasion. These absences are tough, but they’ll only make us stronger if we handle them the right way.” Looking ahead, Adams is expected to return if the Raiders make the playoffs, and Perryman could be back for the final regular-season game if his family matter is resolved. For the Las Vegas Raiders, these set absences are a test—but they also have the potential to be a turning point, showing the team’s ability to adapt and compete even when key players are sidelined. In the end, Set Absence for Key Members of the Las Vegas Raiders is a story of resilience, adaptation, and opportunity—proving that even in the face of adversity, the Raiders are still in the fight for a playoff spot.