You hate to see it happening to a player like Maxx Crosby, who has sacrificed his body to play for the Las Vegas Raiders—but it was the best scenario for him to shut it down for the year; heal and retool for 2025.
As the Silver and Black prepare for Monday’s clash on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, they’ll be without the face of their franchise. Undoubtedly the most important player for the Raiders, Crosby has played through injuries while earning himself an “iron man” reputation. However, even the toughest SOBs need time to heal. For Crosby, this season (a lost one at that) is probably where you draw the line.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby is done for the year…
There’s no reason to believe that Crosby doesn’t figure to be incredibly important for the Raiders for the next few years. Whether it’s Tom Telesco or Tom Brady shaping the roster next offseason, No. 98 is still your anchor. So, it makes sense to avoid any sort of permanent damage to your prized pass rusher. Especially when in effect, these will be meaningless games moving forward. League insiders revealed on Saturday that Crosby would not only be out for Monday but would also be shutting things down.
Even more significant news is that Crosby is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic ankle surgery, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter via X.
“Raiders three-time Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby, who has already been ruled out for Monday night’s game vs. the Falcons due to his ankle injury, is expected to undergo arthroscopic ankle surgery that likely will end his 2024 season, league sources told ESPN.”
Earlier, prior to the news breaking out, the Raider Ramble asked its followers if they believed Crosby should sit. An overwhelming majority voted via our live poll that the aforementioned scenario made sense. Funny enough, just a few short hours later, that’s exactly the plan moving forward. The three-time Pro Bowler shared an emotional post via his Instagram account where he made it clear that he’s far from a quitter. However, he acknowledged that undergoing surgery will enable him to return and embark on a “war path.” For Raider Nation, it’s certainly a downer. Crosby is the team’s defensive stalwart, a fixture of greatness in the face of what’s largely been ineptitude.
One thing’s for sure: Crosby has the ability to emerge from all this as a more improved version of himself. Raiders fans should have no doubts about that.
*Top Photo: USA Today Sports
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