:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25334794/usa_today_22274023.jpg)
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a huge win over the Baltimore Ravens and Week 3 presents a very favorable matchup against the lowly Carolina Panthers.
That's just one of many reasons why the latest injury update surrounding star defensive lineman Christian Wilkins is a big one.
Wilkins, along with star defensive end Maxx Crosby, was officially listed as questionable when the Raiders' final injury report came out on Friday. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce all but said Crosby was going to play, but it was a bit more of an unknown regarding Wilkins' availability. He's dealing with a knee injury that isn't considered to be serious, but still rendered him as limited throughout the week.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported late Saturday night that Wilkins is expected go, giving the Raiders their dominant d-line duo as they look to move to 2-1.
Wilkins has yet to record a sack on the season and has just a 7.7% pressure rate, per Next Gen Stats. However, his impact goes beyond personal statistics and that was on full display against the Ravens. Crosby recorded 2.0 sacks in that game and both came with Wilkins lined up next to him.
The first one that occurred in the first quarter was the result of Crosby receiving a 1-on-1 matchup because Wilkins took on Tyler Linderbaum and Daniel Faalele, himself. That left Crosby with Ravens right tackle Patrick Mekari, and well, we all know what typically happens when Crosby has a 1-on-1 matchup with an unproven offensive lineman.
The next came off a stunt where Crosby looped inside, but the mere presence of Wilkins forced the Ravens offensive linemen to seriously account for him, which helped draw attention away from Crosby. That happened on the Ravens' first play of the subsequent drive after the Raiders tied the game up at 23 and Lamar Jackson and co. couldn't recover and went three-and-out.
Gardner Minshew and co. then took the reigns and moved the offense into field goal range, where Daniel Carlson drilled a 38-yard field goal attempt to win the game.
Not everything is about the final stat line and that's just one of many reasons why Wilkins' availability for this week is so big. He'll get his numbers, eventually.
