Coming into 2024, the hype was real about the Las Vegas Raiders defense. They finished off 2023 great, as one of the best in the league in fact, and were only going to get better by adding through free agency and the draft under another year of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
The hype was that, with the addition of Christian Wilkins, a top-five defensive tackle in the league, that the Raiders would have the best defensive line in football. That, of course, with Malcolm Koonce, Maxx Crosby, Wilkins, and John Jenkins starting.
We have still yet to see that, because Malcolm Koonce, one of the most underrated edge rushers in the entire NFL, who had eight sacks last season, was injured before Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was placed on injured reserve, and the thought was that he would be back in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.
That was when the entire NFL world was set to see the best defensive line in the entire NFL. Now, we may have to wait until 2025, if we ever even get to.
Raiders' Malcolm Koonce suffers devastating injury
As I mentioned earlier, with this injury, the thought was that Koonce would be out very briefly. On Friday night, Bleacher Report insider Jordan Schultz reported that Koonce will miss the entire 2024 season, as the knee injury is much worse than the team initially thought.
First, let's start with the fact that this injury could be one that changes his career -- we just don't know. Knee injuries are always tricky, especially for players who use their explosiveness and leverage a lot like Koonce does. So, who knows, he may never be the same player again, and we may never get to see that best defensive line play together. But, obviously, you hope that isn't the case.
The next thought that should form in your mind is the feeling of empathy. Koonce is in a contract year, and really needed to have a good season before he enters free agency, where he was likely set to make a good chunk of money. Instead, that likely won't happen now.
He could still end up leaving because the Raiders could offer him a much lower contract, and Joonce may want to go where he's offered the most money, who knows?
This injury is devastating for the Raiders, but especially for Koonce. He's still very young and was looking to be a future Pro Bowler. You just wish the best for the young man. Luckily, the one good news is that the Raiders could be getting Tyree Wilson back soon based on the Week 3 injury report for their game against the Carolina Panthers. But, it won't be the same as having the dynamic and elite Koonce.
