Raiders Flagship Host Laments Christian Wilkins Injury: “When Big Guys Have Foot Injuries, Normally It’s Terrible”

A little more than a year ago, the Raiders gave star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins a four-year, $110 million deal and it’s contract that’s starting to look a little shaky based on Wilkins’ ability to stay healthy.

Wilkins played five games in the first year of his deal and there is definitely some uncertainty around his status going into the 2025 season.

On Wednesday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was the first member of the organization to acknowledge Wilkins is dealing with a setback, confirming a pre-draft report from league insider Tony Pauline in April.

Later in the day, flagship radio host ‘JT the Brick’ shared his sentiment on Wilkins and pointed out that foot injuries can be especially concerning with a player the size of Wilkins.

“He’s a big-time player. He needs to be an elite pro bowler, and [Pete Carroll] talked about it being challenging. So coming off of foot injury for a big guy, oversized guy, he’s here every day, he’s working through with the doctors, and we’re only here in May,” JT said on his Raider Nation Radio show on Wednesday.

“I’ve covered sports my whole life, 30 years on radio. When big guys have foot problems, normally it’s terrible, i.e. Bill Walton… It’s a different sport, so I will not play trainer. I will not play doctor, I will not report on Christian Wilkins injury and his rehab, but he’s got to play,” JT continued.

“And again, we care about his health and wellness and his health. But from a perspective of how much money he’s making and how much money has been given to him and guaranteed money, he has got to play. And he’s got to be elite… He says he’s doing everything right to get back here again. I don’t know what to tell you, but it’s not good. It’s not devastating. It’s not horrible, but it’s not good.”

Later on the show, JT asked the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore about Wilkins injury, and Bonsignore added that Wilkins was doing fine in his recovery as of January.

But something happened and Bonsignore said there was clearly a setback that has led to uncertainty around the situation.

“I talked to somebody last night about this and… it’s not good news, you know, if he’s not ready to play at this point… but the good news is he’s got plenty of time to get ready,” Bonsignore said on Wilkins’ injury. “The key is how big was that setback, how severe was that setback. Is it going to jeopardize anything moving forward because the more days that he’s not able to be out there, or more days that he has to catch up.”

“I guess the Raiders, and I’m sure Christian, are hoping that this is just something that he’s got to deal with right now, but he’ll be ready to go come training camp and for season,” Bonsignore continued. “I talked to somebody yesterday who said [Wilkins] was completely on track as of January, and was out of the walking boot, and everything was checking out, and everything looked good, and he was on target to be ready to go… but obviously, there was a setback.”

In a previous post on X, Bonsignore offered a few more details on what he has been hearing on Wilkins’ injury.

Vincent Bonsignore on X (formerly Twitter): “Talked to a few people regarding the setback with @Raiders DT Christian Wilkins. It essentially comes down to the screw breaking or (in the rare case) he rebroke the bone. In either case, the feeling is that he should be ready by August. (Obviously, we’ll see) / X”

Talked to a few people regarding the setback with @Raiders DT Christian Wilkins. It essentially comes down to the screw breaking or (in the rare case) he rebroke the bone. In either case, the feeling is that he should be ready by August. (Obviously, we’ll see)

In moves that were probably related to Wilkins to some degree, the Raiders drafted defensive tackles in the fourth and sixth rounds.

South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway was the second defensive player taken by the Raiders in the fourth round and their next pick was Mississippi DT J.J. Pegues in the sixth round.

Both players will have opportunities to carve out a role over the next few months as Wilkins continues to rehab his foot.

x: @raidersbeat

Doctor explains Christian Wilkins Jones Fracture in 60 seconds #Raiders

For more content like this, click here to SUBSCRIBE to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBILFOvoJ4x2bRhfSapAopA?sub_confirmation= #RaiderNation DT Christian Wilkins was reported to be out indefinitely after having surgery for a Jones fracture, let’s break this down.