Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Malcolm Koonce suffered a significant knee injury in a pre-season practice and will officially miss the entire 2024 season, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. Koonce was already on injured reserve, but Schultz has now confirmed that he won’t return this season.
BREAKING: #Raiders pass rusher Malcolm Koonce suffered a serious knee injury during a recent practice and will miss the entire season, per multiple sources.
A devastating blow for Koonce, who’s coming off a career-best 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles, and was entering the final… pic.twitter.com/MH5MpAQUVY
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 20, 2024
This is a massive blow to both Koonce and the Raiders, who are looking to continue their winning ways after an upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens last week.
Koonce, 26, was selected by the Raiders in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. After accumulating a total of 12 tackles and two sacks across his first two seasons, Koonce had a career year in 2023, securing 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss, eight sacks, and 17 quarterback hits across 17 games and 11 starts. Koonce also forced three fumbles.
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Koonce suffered the injury in practice before the Raiders’ season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Koonce was ruled out for their Week 1 game and then was placed on injured reserve, meaning he had to miss at least the first four games of the season. There was initial belief that the injury could have been season-ending, and on Friday, Schultz confirmed just that.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 12: Defensive ends Maxx Crosby #98 and Malcolm Koonce #51 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrate Koonce’s strip sack against the New York Jets in the third quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Jets 16-12. Koonce will miss the season.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The Raiders will now be without one of their better pass rushers from a year ago for the whole season. They still have three-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, who’s already off to a great start this season with 11 tackles, three sacks, and a league-high five tackles for loss.
However, Crosby is currently the only Raider with a sack through the first two games, as the team has struggled to replace Koonce’s production. The only other players with a tackle for loss this season are safety Marcus Epps and linebacker Robert Spillane. They each have one.
The Raiders spent big on the defensive line this offseason, bringing in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on a four-year, $110 million deal. Wilkins developed into one of the league’s best defensive tackles last year, securing nine sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 23 quarterback hits across 17 starts.
Over five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Wilkins accumulated 355 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, and 50 quarterback hits. He’s expected to anchor the defensive line alongside Crosby this season.
Without Koonce, the Raiders will also look for a breakout from 2023 first-round draft pick Tyree Wilson. The No. 7 overall pick in last year’s draft had 3.5 sacks in 17 games his rookie season. He sprained his knee early in the Week 1 game against the Chargers and didn’t play in Week 2, but will return to action in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers.
For more NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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