Tanner Muse‘s NFL debut will have to wait until next year. On Tuesday, the Raiders’ rookie linebacker underwent toe surgery that will shut him down for the season (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). 
The Raiders drafted Muse in the third round to supplement their LB additions in free agency. Unfortunately, Muse’s toe injury held him back all throughout the summer. The Raiders still see a bright future for the 6’2, 230-pound defender, especially given his redshirt senior showing. In 2019, Muse was first-team All-ACC as he registered 73 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and a team-high four interceptions.
Muse isn’t the only Raiders rookie to be hampered by injury. First-round cornerback Damon Arnette (broken wrist) and third-round receiver Bryan Edwards (ankle) have missed four straight games. Both players could return in time to face the Chargers, but Muse will be watching as he recuperates.
The Raiders’ defense managed to hold the Browns to just six points on Sunday, paving the way to a low-scoring victory for a 4-3 record. A win over the Chargers on Sunday would help keep the Raiders in the Chiefs’ orbit, though their most likely path to the postseason would be as a Wild Card team.