The Las Vegas Raiders have largely dodged the injury bug for most of the 2025 season - a rare stroke of luck in a league where attrition usually tells the story by December. But that run of good health has started to unravel, and it’s happening at a particularly tough time.
Let’s start with the big blow: rookie cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly is done for the year after tearing his patellar tendon. That’s a brutal loss for a defense that’s leaned on Kelly’s physicality and upside in coverage.
And while Geno Smith hasn’t lit up the stat sheet this season, he’s still the Raiders' starting quarterback - and he left Sunday’s game banged up with multiple injuries. His status for Week 15 against the Eagles?
Very much in doubt.
The Raiders are already thin at key spots, and losing two more starters in one week - especially your QB1 - is the kind of hit that can shake a locker room. But there’s a bit of silver lining here: reinforcements are on the way.
Head coach Pete Carroll confirmed on Wednesday that wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. has cleared concussion protocol, and both tight end Michael Mayer and left tackle Kolton Miller returned to practice. That’s a big trio to potentially get back, especially with a road trip to Philadelphia looming.
Thornton only missed one game, and Mayer has been out for the past two. But Miller’s return is the headline here.
He’s been on injured reserve since Week 4, when he went down against the Bears. Getting him back on the field - even in a limited capacity - is a major development.
Miller is the anchor of the offensive line, and his absence has been felt in both pass protection and the run game. In fact, the last time he played, the Raiders posted their best rushing performance of the season.
So if Miller is ready - even if it’s on a snap count - it gives the offense a much-needed boost. That’s especially important with the possibility of Kenny Pickett stepping in under center. If Pickett does get the nod, it’ll be his first start since the end of last season, and having a solid run game behind Miller’s return could help ease him into the action.
Mayer and Thornton returning would also give Pickett more weapons to work with. Mayer’s ability to work the middle of the field and Thornton’s speed on the outside could open up the playbook a bit more - something the Raiders will need against an 8-5 Eagles team that’s still fighting for playoff positioning.
As for the rest of the injury report: Alex Bachman was limited, while Jordan Meredith was a full participant - a good sign for the interior of the offensive line. But there are still some question marks. Smith, Jeremy Chinn, Ian Thomas, Maxx Crosby, and Jamal Adams all sat out on Wednesday.
Now, it’s worth noting that Chinn, Crosby, and Adams were all questionable last week and still suited up, so this could just be a rest day. But Smith and Thomas both left the Broncos game with injuries, so their availability is something to watch closely as the week progresses.
The Raiders are in a weird spot. They’re not mathematically out of the playoff picture, but they’re also staring down a top-10 draft pick if things continue to slide. That’s a tough balance for any fan base - wanting to see young players develop and win, while also knowing that each victory could cost them draft position.
Still, getting key players back on the field is always a good thing. It raises the floor of the team’s performance, and it gives the coaching staff a better look at what they’ve got heading into the offseason.
So while a road win in cold, possibly snowy Philadelphia might be a long shot, the return of Miller, Mayer, and Thornton could at least make things interesting. And for a team that's been through its share of ups and downs this season, that’s something to build on - whether you’re chasing wins or just trying to finish strong.