The Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie pass-rush plan took a major hit before the season even began.
Keyron Crawford, the team’s third-round pick out of Auburn, will miss the entire 2026 season after tearing his Achilles, according to Ari Meirov. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the injury Wednesday after the club initially listed it as an ankle issue.
Crawford’s night turned in a hurry late in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. He was coming on a blitz against quarterback Adrian Martinez when tackle Enrique Cruz Jr. shoved him, and Crawford went down awkwardly. Trainers had to help him off the field without any weight on his right leg before he was carted to the locker room.
The Raiders had already placed him on injured reserve during Sunday’s cut to 53, and they did it without a designation to return. That move was a strong clue the injury was serious even before Kubiak publicly identified it as an Achilles tear. After the game, Kubiak had said, “We’re still gathering information there,” while the medical staff continued to evaluate him.
Crawford had actually flashed earlier in that same game, recording a sack before the injury ended his night. What looked like a promising final preseason step became the end of his first NFL season.
Las Vegas selected Crawford 67th overall after his college path took him through two seasons at Arkansas State and two at Auburn. In 24 games with the Tigers, he totaled 58 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 59 pressures, and five sacks. He had been building toward a rotational role before the injury.
With Crawford out, Patrick Johnson made the 53-man roster in his place after a strong August. Johnson posted 11 tackles, two sacks, six pressures, and four run stuffs in three preseason games.
The Raiders’ edge group still starts with Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye, with Malcolm Koonce as the other backup. But the rookie who was supposed to develop behind Crosby is now sidelined for the year.
The IR move without a return tag means Crawford cannot come back in 2026 unless the team later settles the contract. For now, his first NFL season is reduced to rehab. That’s another setback for a Raiders team already dealing with injuries, including Ashton Jeanty, who is still working back from an ankle issue, though Kubiak remains optimistic for Week 1.
Las Vegas opens September 13 against Miami.
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