HENDERSON, Nev. — Raiders star defensive end Max Crosby will undergo ankle surgery and miss the rest of the season, the latest in a series of injuries that have devastated Las Vegas Latest together.
The Raiders are currently on a nine-game losing streak with a record of 2-11 and a defense that is only about half as strong as expected at the beginning of the season.
Las Vegas hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.
“I can feel sorry for myself and make excuses, but I… refuse,” Crosby posted on social media. “I’m going to get this surgery and strive for greatness every day and get back to being the best version of myself. I truly believe in my soul that I’m changing the game little by little and changing the way people look at this position.”
Not only has Crosby been a major player on defense as of late, he’s also been the focal point on that side of the ball and one of the top leaders in the team’s locker room. He also leads by example, having not missed a game for four consecutive seasons until this year.
But Crosby, who played with an ankle injury late last season, was out of shape again after re-injuring the ball on Sept. 15 in Baltimore. He ultimately missed the game against the Cleveland Browns on September 29.
“I have absolutely zero regrets about the process, approach and discipline of this game,” Crosby wrote. “Instead of missing over a month with my first high ankle sprain in Baltimore, I missed just one game. game and then come back and fight all year long because that’s who I am.”
He has 7 1/2 sacks and 17 tackles for loss this season. Crosby is just half a sack away from becoming the third Raiders player since 1982 to have 60 points in his career.
But now he’ll have to wait until next season to hit that number, after getting injured in Tampa Bay a week ago.
“As much as it pains me not to go to war with my brothers and fans, I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason,” Crosby wrote.
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell is questionable with an injured left knee. He hasn’t practiced the past three days, but head coach Antonio Pierce expressed hope that O’Connell will be able to play.
If O’Connell doesn’t start, the Raiders will turn to Desmond Reed, who will face his former team. Reed started 13 games for the Falcons last season.
Additionally, cornerback Nate Hobbs was uninjured and was a full participant in Saturday’s practice. He hasn’t played since Nov. 3 due to an ankle injury.
Defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion) is questionable and cornerback Sam Webb (back) is questionable.
