Maxx Crosby’s season is over.
The Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher announced via Instagram on Saturday that he will not play again this year after aggravating an ankle injury to the point of needing surgery, hours later ESPN’s Adam Schefter He reported that he would undergo surgery.
he was also officially ruled out for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons early Saturday.
Crosby’s full statement:
As much as it pains me to write this, I won’t be playing the rest of the season. The second time this year it rolled on the same ankle and will now require surgery. As much as it pains me not to go to war with my brothers and the fans, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I have no regrets at all about my process, my approach and my discipline in this game.
Instead of being out for over a month with my first ankle sprain in Baltimore, I only missed one game and came back and fought all year because that’s who I am. If I can go, I can make a difference. Unfortunately, I got blocked from the side and got another one, but this time it was even worse against Tampa. Some people will say that I should take my time, relax and prepare for next year; I will never be that person. I have a team around me that made it possible for me to come back and continue to disrupt even though I really wasn’t completely healthy all year.
I will be on fire no matter the circumstances because this game is my life. If I have a heartbeat, I hope to play for the fans who spend their hard-earned money to see me perform and wear my jersey every Sunday. I do it because it means the world to me and I will never change my approach in this game. Although I can’t understand why this happens, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I can feel bad for myself and make excuses, but I refuse.
I will have this surgery and I will be on a warpath for greatness every day and I will become the best version of myself again. I truly believe in my soul that I am changing the game step by step and changing the way this position is viewed. If you don’t believe me, if you have doubts, if you think I need to relax, FINE…just LOOK AT ME. #Unlimited
Crosby will reportedly undergo arthroscopic surgery on Monday that will determine if more surgery is needed. The ankle has bothered Crosby since Las Vegas’ Week 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens, but his doctors are concerned the injury is worse than previously believed.
Crosby’s official departure is a hard setback for a team that was already finished. The Raiders’ record stands at 2-11, even though Crosby is tied for the NFL lead in tackles for loss with 17, along with 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles and five passes defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, he also ranks sixth in the league with 54 total pressures.
With the Raiders eliminated from playoff contention and in the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, there was little reason to bring Crosby back even in the best of times.
Crosby’s future with Las Vegas was an unknown at the NFL trade deadline and could remain so this offseason, as he is under contract for two more seasons and could get a slew of draft picks if the Raiders decide to commit with a youth movement. However, Raiders owner Mark Davis has done his best to dispel those rumors:
“We are not trading Maxx Crosby,” Davis said in an email to ESPN. “Before or after the trade deadline!!!”
That probably won’t be enough to stop the speculation this offseason.