Las Vegas Raiders Make Pair Of Moves In Response To Christian Wilkins’ Injury

The Las Vegas Raiders will be without their star defensive tackle for an extended period of time. Due to a Jones Fracture suffered during Sunday’s contest against the Broncos, Christian Wilkins has been placed on the injured reserves list.

Sin City has made a pair of roster moves in response. Matthew Butler, the Raiders’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has been elevated from the practice squad. In addition, defensive tackle Zach Carter has taken Butler’s practice squad place.

Butler joins a defensive tackle room that consists of Adam Butler, John Jenkins, Nesta Jade Silvera and Jonah Laulu.

Matthew Butler to Las Vegas Raiders’ active roster following Christian Wilkins injury, Zach Carter to practice squad

Matthew Butler has appeared in four games for the Raiders through two seasons, recording six tackles and a half-sack. His half-sack came as a rookie in 2022 against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13.

While Butler is familiar with Sin City, newcomer Zach Carter is not.

Carter was drafted in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the same draft class that welcomed Matthew Butler into the NFL, by the Cincinnati Bengals. Through three seasons, Carter was able to accumulate two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one full sack made up of two half-sacks.

The Raiders’ newest addition has totaled 30 stops throughout his young career.

Las Vegas will turn towards veterans Adam Butler and John Jenkins for the bulk of snaps in Christian Wilkins’ absence. Through five weeks, Butler has totaled the third-most solo tackles at his position, 14, with nine pressures. Jenkins has been responsible for nine solo tackles with three pressures.

Without Wilkins’ presence in 2023, [Adam] Butler was officially credited with five sacks; more than all other defensive tackles on the Raiders’ roster combined. Jenkins was credited with a sack as well, in addition to returning a fumble for a touchdown.