Sad News: Raiders fear the worst as injuries mount ahead of Week 14

Going into their bye week, the Las Vegas Raiders were pretty banged up.

The break could not have come at a better time, as the Silver and Black were desperately in need of getting their players rested for the final and most critical stretch of their season.

Here are the injuries to be on the lookout for before the first Week 14 injury report is released Wednesday:

Maxx Crosby

The most concerning health status for the Raiders at this point is that of Pro-Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who played through his knee injury in their last game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Crosby went through what was probably the toughest week of his NFL career in Week 12. Despite being hospitalized and declared doubtful for the Chiefs game, he took the field and still excelled.

The fifth-year defensive end has been on the injury report with his knee injury since Week 5. While he’s primarily been limited or out in practice for the sake of being available for game-day snaps, the knee injury has certainly become a serious issue for Crosby and one that the club has taken cautionary measures to heal.

Kolton Miller

After missing two consecutive games, Raiders captain Kolton Miller was back on the field for the Kansas City game despite being listed as questionable.

Miller has been dealing with a shoulder injury. To emphasize just how drastic this injury has been for the veteran offensive tackle, Miller had missed just three games in five seasons before his two-game hiatus this year.

Miller was able to play 91 percent of the snaps in the Week 12 game, a promising sign for Raider Nation, who will need the captain down the stretch.

Marcus Epps

First-year Raider safety Marcus Epps has not missed a game so far this season, but he was close in Week 12. Epps had been declared questionable for the Kansas City game after being limited in practice all week with a neck injury.

Like Miller, fans should feel optimistic, though, considering the fifth-year safety was able to play against the Chiefs.

Robert Spillane

Robert Spillane, another first-year Raider, had also been declared questionable in Week 12, his injury having been to his ankle. But the veteran linebacker fought through it and finished the game with 11 combined tackles.

The Silver and Black will return home to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 10, at 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST.

Raiders’ Renfrow Back in his Role as Frequent Option

Concerns were starting to rise within Raider Nation this season when Las Vegas Raiders slot receiver Hunter Renfrow was being left out as a frequent contributor of the offense. Renfrow, who is just two years out of his Pro-Bowl 2021 season when he became No. 3 on the program’s all-time single-season reception leaders with 103 catches, tallied just six receptions in the team’s first six games this season. Not only that but he was targeted just nine times. Since Raiders Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce took the reins, though, Renfrow’s production has spiked — not nearly to the level he was at two years ago, but enough to be an impactful factor in the offense.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has totaled 80 yards in his last two games, more than in his first seven games combined this season.© Stephen R. Sylvanie | 2023 Nov 26 © Stephen R. Sylvanie | 2023 Nov 26 In the four games Pierce has been at the helm, Renfrow has totaled 112 yards on 12 receptions (13 targets). “I could have one catch or 30 catches — as long as we win, it does not matter to me,” Renfrow said when he joined “Raiders Gameday” after his team’s 31-17 Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. “And we have a lot of selfless guys on the team. But it’s definitely fun feeling like you can contribute and feel like you can go out there and be a part of the reason of why you win and have success on offense. “So, that’s been good, but the ultimate goal is to win and we fell short of that today.” In his last two games, Renfrow has recorded 80 yards (42, 38) on nine receptions with a 100 percent catch percentage. For the Raiders to end their 2023 regular season on a high note, this emphasis on their former Pro Bowler will only help if it is to carry through these last five games.

With teams focusing on All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and rookie tight end Michael Mayer, Renfrow’s presence inside will be crucial. The Silver and Black will return home to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 10, at 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST.