One of the conversations around the Raiders getting a lot of mileage over the last few weeks is the health of veteran defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
It was reported just ahead of the draft that Wilkins was back in a walking boot at some point in the offseason and his surgically repaired foot might need another procedure before the start of the 2025 season.
Even after the draft, league insider Tony Pauline doubled down on his initial report on Wilkins foot.
“As I mentioned right before the draft, there’s a problem with Christian Wilkins’ foot. He may need another procedure,” Pauline reported last week. “They added two potential pass rushers on the inside with Tonka Hemingway and J.J. Pegues.”
But according to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, there isn’t much for Raider fans to be concerned about in regard to Wilkins’ foot.
“Talking to people within the organization, there isn’t any fear or concern or anything,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast. “It is not uncommon. I’ve shared with you this before. “When people have a surgery, they got to go and take out some scar tissue or whatever. Nobody has any concerns that he’s not going to be there when the season starts. I was told at this point, it’s a lot about nothing.”
“Nobody’s even confirmed he needs a second surgery. But if they did, there’s literally no concern,” Hondo continued. “I am telling you, nobody I’m talking to at this point is remotely worried. Now, if it gets to that, I’ll tell you.”
For what it’s worth, others on the beat in Las Vegas have passed along a similar narrative around Wilkins’ foot and no one in the national media outside of Pauline has touched on the story.
x: @raidersbeat
Hondo? lol
How did you get a name like Hondo? Joe Suzuki
Two Dogs Fucking was already taken
Hondo doesn’t know anything more about what’s going on than we do. He acts like he’s bringing breaking news when it’s nothing any different than what we already knew. This guy is a poser who acts like he’s the sole voice for Raider Nation. He’s a hypocrite if you watch you will see..
I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, DON’T waste Max Crosby, go get Trey Hendricksen, Al Davis would. I want the Raiders to have a formidable defensive front and adding Hendricksen would give the Raiders just that. The AFC West is getting better and the Raiders should too. Needless to say, the Raiders face Kansas City, Denver and San Diego twice each year. That means Justin Hebert, Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix twice. NOTHING and I mean NOTHING is more essential that putting pressure on those three quarterbacks and adding Hendricksen would accomplish that and help out the linebackers, corners and safties to boot. DO NOT miss the GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to return the Raiders to prominence!!!!!
Yeah. Pay him more than Crosby cause that’s why he hasn’t moved. Plus give up two first round picks. Cause that’s what they’ll want.
Your delusional.
What’s delusional is last year’s 3-14 record.
And Al was bat **** looney since he gained majority ownership.
they just renewed Koonce, I don’t see how it can be a solution to have 3 DE of absolute value when you have serious problems in the secondary and in the LB!
Trades with the Bengals to then keep Koonce on the bench on 3rd down?! It doesn’t seem like a smart move to me..
The Raiders could do worse things than acquiring Hendricksen and have done worse things, in the past. As we all know, it’s a looong season and having proven talent can’t hurt.
Sorry no. I want to save enough draft capital to grab Arch Manning in 26. Besides, we have DEs that can chase those guys. What we don’t have is LBs that can cover over the middle while they’re running from our DEs.
Understood but the Eagles v Kansas City Super Bowl showed that a pass rush covers a multitude of sins. I have zero confidence in our ability to get it done without additional help on the defensive line.
🥱