With five games left in the 2025 season, the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t chasing playoff dreams - they’re playing for pride, jobs, and futures. That’s the reality for a team that’s already out of the postseason picture.
While fans may be eyeing the draft board more than the scoreboard, inside the Raiders’ locker room, the stakes are still very real. Coaches are coaching to keep their seats.
Players are grinding for their next contract - whether that’s in Vegas or somewhere else.
And while that fight is commendable, the franchise has to keep one eye on the long game. It’s a delicate balance: play hard, stay competitive, but don’t jeopardize the health of cornerstone players in a season that’s already lost. That’s where Maxx Crosby comes into focus - again.
Crosby’s Status: A Familiar Concern
The Raiders’ star edge rusher was limited in practice on Wednesday with a knee issue - nothing new, as he’s been dealing with it for weeks. But on Thursday, Crosby wasn’t spotted at practice during the media viewing window. That’s a shift, and not a good one.
Crosby’s reputation is built on toughness. He plays through pain, rarely comes off the field, and sets the tone for the defense. But this late in the year, with the postseason off the table, the question becomes: how much is too much?
We’ve seen this before. Last season, the Raiders shut Crosby down for the final five games, placing him on injured reserve so he could undergo multiple procedures and come back fully healthy.
That decision paid off in the long run. Now, with a similar scenario unfolding, the team may have to make the same call.
Impact on the Broncos Matchup
The Raiders are set to face the Denver Broncos in Week 14, and without Crosby, the defense takes a major hit. Vegas is already outmatched on paper, and missing their best player only widens the gap.
Yes, Malcolm Koonce has shown flashes lately, and Tyree Wilson is slowly finding his footing. But let’s be honest - neither is close to replicating what Crosby brings snap after snap.
His motor, leadership, and disruptive presence are on another level. Without him, the pass rush loses its teeth, and the defense loses its identity.
Draft Implications and the Fan Perspective
Now, some fans won’t be too upset about that. There’s a segment of Raider Nation that’s fully embraced the tank - lose now, draft high later.
But even those fans want to see the team compete. They want to see growth from young players, flashes of potential, and reasons to believe in the future.
If the Raiders are going to accidentally win a game and mess up their draft position, many would prefer it come against the Broncos. There’s no love lost between these teams, and a win over Denver always feels a little sweeter.
But pulling that off without Crosby? That’s a tall order.
More Injury Notes
Crosby isn’t the only player on the mend. Wide receivers Alex Bachman and Dont’e Thornton Jr., along with tight end Michael Mayer, all missed their second straight practice on Thursday.
That’s not a great sign for their availability this weekend. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Dylan Parham returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday, which offers at least a little bit of good news for the offense.
Bottom Line
The Raiders are walking a tightrope between finishing strong and protecting their future. Maxx Crosby is the heart of this team, but if he’s not physically right, shutting him down might be the smart play - again.
With nothing left to prove this year, the focus has to shift to 2026. And that starts with making sure your stars are healthy when it matters most.