Injury woes have landed hard on the Las Vegas Raiders as they steel themselves for their upcoming tussle with the Cleveland Browns, and if there's one thing that's sure, it's that they'll be doing it shorthanded. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce confirmed on Friday that the team will take the field minus star defensive end Maxx Crosby and leading wide receiver Davante Adams, both sidelined with injuries, in an announcement that obtained by the Review Journal.
Adams, dealing with a hamstring injury from Thursday's practice, has been ruled out for this game. Coach Pierce remained tight-lipped about when Adams might return. Meanwhile, Crosby, a consistent presence since joining the league, will miss his first NFL game due to an ankle sprain suffered in the Raiders' recent 36-22 loss to Carolina. The team faces the challenge of playing without both of these key players, along with tight end Michael Mayer, who is also absent for undisclosed personal reasons, as reported by News3LV.
Adams' contribution to the team's passing play cannot be understated, with an impressive early-season tally of 18 catches for 209 yards, stacking up expectations following his uninterrupted playing stretch all the way into last year with his previous team—Green Bay; Crosby's ironman streak, a show of resilience and dedication, is also halted, the DE's consistent franchise presence since being drafted four years ago now pausing for a much-needed healing hiatus.
The tally of absences climbs as Raiders rule out a handful of other players for Sunday's showdown—an offensive tackle, Thayer Munford; linebacker, Divine Deablo, and cornerback, Decamerion Richardson are not dressing for the game, this leaving the team to shuffle and strategize around key positions to fill the gaps of its sidelined warriors, hardly an ideal scenario when hoping for a bounce back from their Carolina upset. While the grind doesn't stop and next-man-up is the timeless gridiron mantra, Raider Nation might be bracing themselves for what could be a gritty, uphill battle against the Browns, when every play counts and the depth chart is tested, News3LV reports.
