Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Placed On IR, Will Undergo Meniscus Surgery
5:40pm: Crosby received two alternative opinions on his injury, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports. Both of them indicated he could continue playing provided his pain threshold was high enough. Instead of delaying surgery (which was always going to be necessary) for another two weeks, Crosby’s attention will now turn to recovery.
2:52pm: One day after shutting down Maxx Crosby for the season, the Raiders announced that they have placed the star defensive end on injured reserve. Crosby will undergo a meniscus trim in the offseason, but he should recover quickly, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
As part of a lengthy statement, the Raiders said: “After deliberate and thorough consultation with multiple top medical professionals, it became clear that this decision is in the best interest of both the franchise and the player. Maxx is the ultimate warrior, and he has fought extremely hard to compete each week with his teammates since injuring his knee mid-season. We are grateful for his extraordinary contributions. He is a true Raider on and off the field — we look forward to his leadership and toughness into 2026 and beyond.”
Crosby was displeased with the Raiders on Friday after they informed him he wouldn’t play against the Giants on Sunday. The Raiders already sent their best offensive player, Brock Bowers, to IR earlier in the week ahead of a matchup between 2-13 teams. The loser will enter Week 18 in pole position to land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. That doesn’t matter to Crosby.
“Yeah, I don’t give a s— about the pick, to be honest,” Crosby said earlier in the week. “I don’t play for that. That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world. Being a great leader, being an influence.”
Despite injuring his left knee in Week 7, Crosby logged perfect attendance in the Raiders’ first 15 games and earned his fifth Pro Bowl invitation. He’ll end his season with 73 tackles, 53 pressures and 10 sacks – his fourth double-digit total in seven years.
While Crosby would’ve liked to finish the season and build on those numbers, he underwent an MRI on Tuesday that showed his injury had persisted, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Worried about Crosby potentially suffering long-term damage, the Raiders are shelving him for the rest of the year. They addressed their concerns with him after that, per Schefter. Head coach Pete Carroll revealed he and Crosby spoke “four times” on Friday.
“I agree with him 1,000 percent on how he responded, and I [would have] responded the same way,” Carroll said of Crosby’s reaction to Friday’s news.
There’s some question as to whether Carroll will return for a second season in 2026. Regardless of whether that happens, the Raiders’ statement suggests they’re committed to keeping Crosby next year. Crosby was popular in trade rumors last offseason, but the Raiders put an end to those in handing him a three-year, $106.5MM extension with $91.5MM guaranteed in March. He’s under wraps through 2029 as a result.
With Crosby’s season officially over, the Raiders signed defensive end Jahfari Harvey from their practice squad to their active roster in a corresponding move. They also elevated running back Chris Collier and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett from their taxi squad.
Raiders Shut Down DE Maxx Crosby
With the Raiders approaching a critical game regarding their chances at the No. 1 pick, they are moving forward without another critical player in the lineup. Maxx Crosby will not play against the Giants on Sunday. 
Vegas informed Crosby he will be inactive on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The five-time Pro Bowler wants to play down the stretch despite the fact the Raiders have long been out of playoff contention. The team’s preference would be for Crosby to be sidelined for the final two weeks of the season, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer adds. Head coach Pete Carroll has since confirmed (via Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal) the team is shutting down its top player.
Per Glazer, Crosby “vehemently disagreed” with the decision to sit him and left the team facility upon learning the news. He adds this episode could invite a new round of speculation regarding the decorated edge rusher’s future in Las Vegas. Crosby has of course been tied to trade talk over the years, but owner Mark Davis has fiercely denied any suggestions about a parting of ways receiving consideration.
“Yeah, I don’t give a s— about the pick, to be honest,” Crosby said earlier this week when asked about the No. 1 selection in April’s draft (h/t Rapoport). “I don’t play for that. That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world. Being a great leader, being an influence.”
This Crosby decision comes shortly after standout tight end Brock Bowers was moved to injured reserve. That ended his season in time for the Sunday Giants matchup which will see the NFL’s two 2-13 teams play each other. The loser will secure an inside track for the top pick; doing so for Vegas in particular would be critical. Drafting first overall would allow the Raiders to land a quarterback capable of taking over from Geno Smith as the team’s starter over the long term.
Crosby has dealt with a knee injury for much of the year, but he has managed to play all 15 games so far in 2025. A second-team All-Pro selection on two occasions, he has remained one of the league’s top EDGE producers this season. Crosby has totaled 10 sacks, reaching double-digits in that regard for the fourth time in his seven-year career.
This past spring, Crosby worked out a three-year, $106.5MM extension. That pact very briefly made him the league’s highest-paid pass rusher in terms of AAV, but five players now sit ahead of Crosby at this point. The 28-year-old is under contract through 2029, but it will be interesting to see if today’s developments make any difference with respect to his commitment to the franchise.
Robert Saleh Among Highest-Paid Coordinators, Rejected Raiders’ DC Offer
Robert Saleh‘s first ride on a coaching carousel since 2021 included extensive interest. The fired Jets HC met with the Cowboys, Jaguars and Raiders about their top coaching positions, and a return to Jacksonville looked like a real possibility for a brief period.
The Jaguars had Saleh — their linebackers coach from 2014-16 — positioned as their second choice, but during the span when Liam Coen had rejected a second interview and was on track to sign a lucrative OC extension with the Buccaneers, Saleh had moved into pole position. The Jags then fired GM Trent Baalke, reigniting Coen’s interest in the job. Saleh drifted out of the picture once Coen, to the dismay of the Bucs, reentered it.
While the 49ers became the likely Saleh landing spot following that development, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner reports the Raiders extended an offer for him to be Pete Carroll‘s DC. This role would have installed Saleh as Carroll’s likely successor, per Wagoner. Saleh worked with Carroll as a Seahawks quality control staffer from 2011-13.
As it stands, the Raiders do not have a true in-house candidate to succeed the oldest head coach in NFL history — though, Carroll has a real chance of being a one-and-done in Las Vegas at this point. Saleh would have provided them that staffer.
The Raiders interviewed Saleh about their HC job Jan. 16 and hired Carroll on Jan. 24. That same day, the 49ers agreed to terms to rehire Saleh as their DC. Five days later, the Raiders determined Patrick Graham would stay on for a fourth season. It certainly appears Graham staying as DC was at best the AFC West franchise’s second choice, as Saleh became a priority for the team. But the four-year Jets leader preferred a return to San Francisco.
It is not known what Saleh is earning as San Francisco’s DC, but Wagoner adds the 49ers informed their now-two-time coordinator during early discussions they would make him among the highest-paid NFL coordinators. Saleh spent four seasons as the 49ers’ DC during his first stint with the team, with the final two vaulting him onto the HC carousel. Saleh, 46, should be expected to garner more HC interest soon. But after Saleh’s Jets ending, it will take a good opportunity to lure him out of the Bay Area again.
“Everyone wants to be at the top of their profession, and they want to succeed at that just to see how far they can go and what they can achieve,” Saleh said, via Wagoner. “Is my desire to get to the top of the profession and hoist the Lombardi one day? Absolutely. Am I in a hurry? No, I love it here. Obviously, the desire is there, but at the same time, it’s not desperation.”
Kyle Shanahan confirmed Saleh was the 49ers’ first choice once they dismissed DC Nick Sorenson, with the longtime HC indicating Saleh informed the team he would return as DC if no head coaching opportunities panned out.
The 49ers have seen Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams suffer season-ending injuries — though, Warner could make an unexpected playoff return — but rank 12th in scoring defense. EPA per play is harder on Saleh’s fifth 49ers unit, slotting the injury-hounded group 23rd, but Saleh’s work certainly has not gone unnoticed. He will be a candidate for a second-chance job soon.
A league source informed Wagoner that Saleh would be a strong candidate, as this is considered a weak pool. Defense-based candidates are set to flood the upcoming carousel, and Saleh joining Broncos DC Vance Joseph with HC experience will be considered a plus. While offense-oriented candidates will remain preferred — especially considering the jobs Coen and Ben Johnson have done this year — Saleh’s second San Francisco stint could well be capped at one season.
Raiders Place Brock Bowers, Jeremy Chinn On IR
The 2025 season is ending early for Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn. Both players are going on injured reserve, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Bowers has a knee injury, while Chinn has recently dealt with a back issue.
After starring at Georgia, Bowers entered the NFL as the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft. He immediately became the Raiders’ best offensive weapon during a prolific rookie campaign. Bowers amassed 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns en route to first-team All-Pro honors.
Bowers mostly worked with quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell during his first season. The Raiders added a new starter in Geno Smith last offseason, but he hasn’t carried his Seattle success to Las Vegas. It hasn’t helped Smith that Bowers hasn’t been fully healthy. His knee has been a problem since Week 1. Bowers, who missed three games earlier in the season, will wrap up 2025 with 64 catches, 860 yards, and seven scores in 12 contests.
Chinn, a former Panther and Commander, joined the Raiders on a two-year deal worth up to $16MM last offseason. He wound up starting in all 15 of his games this year and missing just one defensive snap out of 997. The 27-year-old notched 114 tackles, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, and a sack. Pro Football Focus ranks Chinn a solid 31st among 100 qualifying safeties.
The Raiders went a miserable 2-13 with Bowers and Chinn available for most or all of that stretch. With those two done for the season, the Raiders’ odds of landing the No. 1 pick in the draft will likely increase. The Raiders will enter Week 17 on track to pick second, but they’ll face the Giants, who own the No. 1 selection as of now. The loser of that game will go into the season finale in the driver’s seat for the first choice in 2026.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/24/25
NFL minor moves this Christmas Eve:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: DE L.J. Collier
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return from IR: CB Clark Phillips
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return from IR: C Matt Lee
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: G Kendrick Green
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed from practice squad: CB Corey Ballentine
- Elevated: LB Justin Barron
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: OL Kingsley Eguakun, TE Giovanni Ricci
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return from IR: WR Ashton Dulin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed from practice squad: S Terrell Edmunds, WR Shedrick Jackson
Los Angeles Rams
- Designated for return from IR: CB Roger McCreary
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed from practice squad: G Henry Byrd
- Elevated: LB Sione Takitaki
- Placed on IR: TE Gavin Bartholomew, C Ryan Kelly
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): S Chris Smith
Washington Commanders
- Signed from practice squad: QB Sam Hartman
- Elevated: DT Ricky Barber, WR River Cracraft
A month after coming off injured reserve, Kelly is headed right back to the injured list. Kelly was initially placed on IR after two concussions limited him to only three games in the early stages of the season. It is unfortunately a third concussion this season — and the sixth of his career — that will end his 2025 campaign. This will conclude the first half of Kelly’s two-year deal with the Vikings, who will once again turn to backup Michael Jurgens in his absence.
Also in Minnesota, Byrd’s contract to join the 53-man roster will not just be a two-week deal. According to a post from the X account of his agency, JL Sports, Byrd is joining the active roster on a two-year contract.
In Detroit, these will be the third and final standard gameday elevations for Eguakun and Ricci. If the Lions want to see them in the regular season finale, they will need to sign them to the 53-man roster. That’s what Dallas is doing with Ballentine, who exhausted his third elevation last week.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/24/25
Here are today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Logan Woodside
- Released: S Patrick McMorris
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Richard Gouraige
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Thomas Gordon
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: TE Qadir Ismail
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LS Luke Elkin, T Joshua Miles
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: C Josh Kaltenberger
- Released: TE Tanner McLachlan
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Brandon Johnson
- Released: DT Kyler Baugh
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Several dominoes have fallen so far in Week 16 with respect to the NFL’s playoff picture. The Cowboys have been eliminated while the Patriots, Seahawks, Bears, Eagles and 49ers have locked in a postseason berth.
The final two weeks of the campaign will determine the remaining playoff spots, but they will also sort out the top of the draft order. Six teams remain within striking distance of the No. 1 pick, although the Titans’ win on Sunday greatly weakened their chances of landing the top selection for the second year in a row. One contest in particular will be worth monitoring next week with respect to draft positioning.
The Giants and Raiders each sport a record of 2-13. They will play each other in Week 17, meaning the loser of that contest will have the inside track for the No. 1 pick. New York already has a head coaching vacancy while Pete Carroll is in danger of going one-and-done in Vegas. Plenty of incentive for winning will exist for Carroll in particular, but the outcome of that game will have major implications on the draft order.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an updated look at the first-round order:
- New York Giants (2-13)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
- Cleveland Browns (3-12)
- New York Jets (3-12)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
- Tennessee Titans (3-12)
- Washington Commanders (4-11)
- New Orleans Saints (5-10)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
- Miami Dolphins (6-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
- Detroit Lions (8-7)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- Carolina Panthers (8-7)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
- Houston Texans (10-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
- Chicago Bears (11-4)
- New England Patriots (12-3)
- Denver Broncos (12-3)
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
Raiders HC Pete Carroll ‘Intent’ On Keeping Job
The Raiders brought in a new regime to guide their franchise in 2025, but unless the team somehow wins their final two games of the season, they’ll finish with their worst showing since the 2014 campaign. Considering the dismal on-field product, there have been some natural rumblings about Pete Carroll‘s job security. If the head coach has his way, he’ll be sticking in Las Vegas for the 2026 season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the 74-year-old isn’t planning to retire. Instead, Carroll is “intent on convincing” owner Mark Davis that he should keep his job.
Rapoport and Pelissero detail the various issues the Raiders have dealt with in 2025. On the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were both canned. On the field, Geno Smith has tossed 14 interceptions after being acquired this offseason for a third-round pick. Meanwhile, sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty has been one of the least efficient RBs in the NFL, compiling 828 rushing yards on 224 carries. Individually, none of these issues are a direct indictment of Carroll. However, when combined, you can make a strong argument that the organization already requires a change.
Plus, as Rapoport and Pelissero note, Carroll wasn’t even the organization’s top choice to lead the squad. Tom Brady helped guide the search and landed his desired GM in John Spytek. However, the iconic QB saw his HC target, Ben Johnson, opt for the Bears gig. Both NFL Network reporters believe Brady will “increase his presence” this offseason as the team faces some crucial decisions.
Davis will ultimately have the final say, and the owner isn’t afraid to pull the plug if things aren’t working out. The Raiders have famously shuffled through coaches, as the team has employed five different head coaches (including interim HCs) over the past five years.
If Carroll is ultimately ousted, it will be a disappointing development for the former Super Bowl winner. His long stint in Seattle unceremoniously ended in 2023, but even then, the Seahawks never bottomed out, as Carroll still guided the team to a 9-8 record during his final season at the helm. Carroll has the track record of developing competitive squads, so perhaps the Raiders will give their head coach another season to right the ship. If not, the front office will be seeking yet another individual to lead their roster.
Raiders Place OL Jordan Meredith On IR
Jordan Meredith‘s season has ended early. The Raiders announced that they placed the offensive lineman on injured reserve today.
Meredith has been dealing with an ankle injury for most of December, and the issue led to him being questionable for yesterday’s game against the Texans. The lineman ended up being limited to only three special teams snaps yesterday, and the Raiders are now shutting him down for good.
A former UDFA out of Western Kentucky, Meredith played sparingly through his first three seasons in the NFL. He had a breakout campaign in 2024, starting eight of his 14 appearances while getting into 574 offensive snaps. Pro Football Focus was especially fond of his performance, ranking Meredith fifth among 77 qualifying guards.
This season, the website hasn’t been as bullish, although that could be due to the lineman’s switch to center. Meredith currently ranks 33rd among 40 qualifying centers, including the fourth-lowest positional grade in pass blocking. He shifted back to guard midseason when Jackson Powers-Johnson went down with an injury.
Taking his spot on the roster is Atonio Mafi. The veteran has spent most of the season on the Raiders practice squad, making one appearance in his three elevations. The former fifth-round pick started five of his 17 games as a rookie with the Patriots in 2023.
To fill the taxi squad spot previously held by Mafi, the Raiders turned to defensive end Jahfari Harvey. The rookie has spent most of this season on the practice squad, but he temporarily found himself without a job after he was cut by the big-league team the other day.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/25
Here are Friday’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Jammie Robinson
- Placed on IR: WR KhaDarel Hodge
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: OL Chase Lundt
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from IR: DL Brenton Cox Jr.
- Placed on IR: RB MarShawn Lloyd (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Designated for return from IR: LB Jalen McLeod
Las Vegas Raiders
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): DT Brodric Martin
- Waived: DE Jahfari Harvey
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: K Charlie Smyth
- Placed on IR: WR Devaughn Vele
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins, CB Brandon Johnson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed from practice squad: S J.T. Gray
- Waived: LB Nick Jackson
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: TE Lawrence Cager
Cox will give the Packers another pass-rushing option after they lost superstar Micah Parsons to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15. An undrafted pickup in 2023, Cox impressed last season with five tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble in just seven games. However, he hasn’t factored in this year after suffering a groin injury in the Packers’ season-opening loss to the Lions. Now returning from a 13-game absence, Cox could have an opportunity to make an impact down the stretch.
Vele, a seventh-round pick a year ago, racked up 41 catches, 475 yards, and three touchdowns during a 13-game rookie season in Denver. The Broncos sold high on the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder in late August, shipping him to the Saints for a 2026 fourth-rounder and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
Vele, who’s now dealing with a shoulder injury, will wrap up his first season in New Orleans with 25 receptions, 293 yards, and two scores in 13 contests. While those are underwhelming numbers, Vele was far more productive in recent weeks. He combined for 19 grabs, 239 yards, and a TD in his last four games of the year.