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One of the Las Vegas Raiders’ biggest offseason additions is now set to miss time after an injury.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair a Jones Fracture he suffered against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
According to Rapoport, the Raiders put Wilkins on the injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least four games.
Wilkins signed a four-year, $110 million contract that includes $84.75 million guaranteed with the Raiders this offseason after spending his first five seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.
He had the best season of his career a year ago, tallying 65 tackles and a career-high nine sacks, which were the fourth most by a defensive tackle in the league in 2023. So far this season, Wilkins has 17 tackles and a pair of sacks through five games.
Wilkins’ injury marks the second to a key member of the defensive line of scrimmage this season. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, but luckily for Las Vegas that injury only kept him out for one game and he was back on the field on Sunday.
With Wilkins out, the Raiders will likely appoint Adam Butler to his spot at right defensive tackle. Butler, a seven-year veteran, has had a solid year playing behind Wilkins as he’s picked up 17 tackles and three tackles for loss this year. He’s coming off a season in which he recorded 28 tackles and five sacks.
The Raiders are 2-3 on the year after losing to Denver on Sunday and will face the Pittsburgh Steelers this week as they look to avoid losing back-to-back games.
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