The Las Vegas Raiders are limping toward the finish line of the 2025 NFL season - and not just metaphorically. At 2-10, the losses have piled up, and now the injuries are doing the same. What once looked like a team with promise has turned into a roster in survival mode, trying to figure out who’s part of the future while simply trying to stay healthy enough to finish the season.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a team gutted by catastrophic injuries. For much of the year, the Raiders have been relatively healthy compared to some of their NFL peers. But the injuries they have sustained have hit in key spots - and they’re starting to stack up as the season enters its final stretch.
Key Injuries Continue to Mount
Tight end Brock Bowers, one of the most dynamic rookies in the league, missed three games earlier this season after dealing with nagging injuries. Left tackle Kolton Miller, the anchor of the offensive line, has been on injured reserve since Week 4.
Fellow lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson joined him there in Week 10. Those are foundational pieces, and their absence has been felt in both the run game and pass protection.
And now, heading into a Week 13 matchup with the red-hot 10-2 Denver Broncos, the Raiders are dealing with another wave of absences that only makes the task ahead more daunting.
Roster Shuffle: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
On Wednesday, several players were missing from practice - not ideal when you’re preparing for a divisional showdown. Rookie guard Caleb Rogers, who made his first NFL start last week in place of the injured Jordan Meredith, may have to stay ready. Meredith did return to practice, but only in a limited capacity as he works his way back from an ankle injury.
Tight end Michael Mayer, who’s quietly become a key contributor despite technically being the No. 2 on the depth chart, was still sidelined. Mayer’s been a central figure in the Raiders’ two-tight-end sets, and his 22 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown rank fourth on the team in all three categories. That’s no small loss, especially with Bowers still not at full strength.
Wideout Dont’e Thornton Jr., who left Sunday’s game with a concussion, was also absent. That’s another blow.
Thornton has played nearly half of the team’s offensive snaps this season and trails only Tre Tucker in targets among Raiders receivers. If he can’t go, expect Jack Bech and Tyler Lockett to see expanded roles in the passing game.
Alex Bachman was also missing from practice. While he’s not a major offensive weapon, he’s been a steady contributor on special teams - both as a punt returner and in coverage. If he’s out, look for Tucker to take over return duties.
Depth Tested Across the Board
The tight end room, already stretched thin, will likely lean more on Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon if Mayer remains out. Both have flashed in limited action, but neither offers Mayer’s upside as a pass-catcher or blocker in heavy sets.
On the offensive line, the situation remains fluid. Dylan Parham, who’s been a consistent presence this year, was a surprise absence from Wednesday’s practice with a back issue. If he can’t go, the Raiders may be forced to shuffle the interior line again - never ideal against a Denver front that’s been playing with serious juice.
And then there’s Maxx Crosby and Geno Smith. Both were limited participants in practice. Smith was seen limping during Sunday’s game, and his mobility - or lack thereof - could be a factor against a Broncos defense that loves to bring pressure.
Eyes on the Future
At this point, the Raiders aren’t just playing for wins - they’re playing for evaluation. With postseason hopes long gone, the focus shifts to player development and figuring out who’s worth building around.
That’s why reps for guys like Rogers, Bech, and Runyon matter. These final few games could be their audition tape for next season’s roster.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: this week’s matchup with Denver is a tall order. The Broncos are rolling, and the Raiders are reeling.
Missing key players across multiple units only widens the gap between these two AFC West rivals. Still, for a team looking to build something sustainable, these games matter - even if the scoreboard doesn’t always reflect it.
The Raiders have a long road ahead, and it starts with getting healthy. But in the meantime, they’ll keep grinding, evaluating, and trying to salvage something from a season that’s gone off the rails.