The best news yet for the Las Vegas Raiders, who have already faced a number of difficult injuries this season, is that standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has been placed on injured reserve. Being without him for at least four games is a huge setback because he is one of the team’s most costly players.
The Raiders needed to locate a replacement in the interim. Zach Carter, a veteran defensive tackle, is being signed by the team, per an X post from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
Wilson Aaron
Zach Carter, a starter and former third-round choice of the Bengals, has been signed by the Raiders, according to a league source @KPRC2. Aaron Wilson ·@AaronWilson_NFL
11:22 am · Oct. 10, 2024, 124 Response
In 2022, Carter was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round. Over the course of the previous three seasons, he started 16 games, but the team only recently cut him. Over his career, he’s accumulated 55 tackles in total along with one sack.
He won’t have to make a significant impact for the Raiders, but he will add depth to an increasingly weak defensive line. Although he won’t contribute much to pass rush defense, he can be a strong run defender. With Las Vegas giving up 131.8 running yards per contest, Carter should have no trouble finding a spot if he performs well.
Patriots’ Ben Brown is taken by the Raiders
This week, two of the Raiders’ starting guards were listed as injured. Dylan Parham is struggling with an Achilles, and Jackson Powers-Johnson is dealing with a knee. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the Raiders elected to grab center/guard Ben Brown from the New England Patriots practice squad because they will continue to evaluate their depth at the position.
Vic Tafur
Vic Tafur @VicTafur · Subscribe
Ben Brown, a center/guard on the Raiders practice squad, has signed with the Patriots.
12:06 PM · October 10, 2024, 55 Response
Brown spent the entire offseason and even began the season on the Raiders practice squad before joining the Patriots. It makes sense for Las Vegas to sign him since he ought to be somewhat accustomed to the offensive scheme. In the event that Powers-Johnson and Parham are unable to participate in Week 6, he may be added to the active roster.
Insider Conversations How Wilkins Will Be Replaced by Raiders
It’s difficult enough to replace a player like Wilkins on its own, but it’s made more difficult by the fact that Maxx Crosby is still sidelined due to an ankle ailment and Malcolm Koonce, the starting defensive end, is out for the season.
The Raiders defensive line may be having issues, but The Athletic provided information on Wilkins’ potential replacement.
In an October 8 piece, Tafur stated, “That’s four important defensive starters now out for the Raiders, who have already lost linebacker Divine Deablo to an oblique injury and pass rusher Malcolm Koonce to the season.” “Maxx Crosby has been sidelined since sustaining a high ankle injury in Week 2, so the Raiders offered Wilkins a guaranteed $85 million to make up a 1-2 punch up front. Now, though, they will rely on veterans John Jenkins and Adam Butler to pick up some of the burden.
“They also believe that rookie Jonah Laulu, who they claimed off waivers from the Colts in August, and nose tackle Nesta Jade Silvera have some pass-rush potential.”
Although the Raiders will need to rely heavily on Crosby, they also need other players to come up. Tyree Wilson, a former top-10 pick, is still without a sack thus far this season. If this defense is going to become better, he needs to start playing better.
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