Christian

Wilkins

We’re not quite sure what to make of this one, but according to the report, the event happened inside the Raiders’ team meeting room last week. While it was a “playful” attempt, Schefter reports the other teammate “didn’t see it that way,” which led to the complaint being filed. Wilkins was released by the Raiders last Thursday and is now seeking to recoup the $35.2 million in guaranteed money that the Raiders hope to void due to Wilkins’ approach to his rehabilitation for the injured foot. Schefter reports this kissing incident was not the sole reason for Wilkins’ release.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on Wilkins’ contract last month.” The Raiders’ decision is reportedly “due to how Wilkins treated the rehab from his foot injury he suffered last season.” He signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the team last offseason, but appeared in just five games before suffering the season-ending injury. He totaled 14 tackles, nine quarterback pressures and two sacks while active. Wilkins reportedly filed a grievance with the NFLPA today. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that the team asked Wilkins to undergo surgery to correct the injury but Wilkins declined.

Wilkins was placed on the active/PUP list yesterday, but this seems to point towards Wilkins being a ways from actually participating in training camp. The 29-year-old star free-agent signing had a setback with his foot this offseason and has spent much of it in a walking boot. It would be unsurprising if he missed time this season considering how this has gone so far, but there’s still a month and change for Wilkins to make it back on to the field.

Wilkins continues to recover from a foot surgery that ended his 2024 campaign. It was reported in May by Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore that the team hopes Wilkins will be able to return by August, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Wilkins has made “sound progress” in his recovery. Wilkins will be eligible to come off the PUP list whenever the team deems he is ready to do so. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders last offseason, it’s safe to say the team hopes to get more out of him than the five games he provided last season.

Bonsignore’s sources were unable to identify the exact nature of Wilkins’ Jones fracture setback, but Bonsignore says “it essentially comes down to the screw breaking or (in the rare case) he rebroke the bone.” That’s not good. Earlier today, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that “this has been a difficult recovery” for Wilkins and he is, unfortunately, “not ready” to resume practicing. Carroll provided an ambiguous expected return date, saying, “there’s a lot of time—and we’re going to take every bit of it.”

The Raiders have been quiet about Wilkins and his recovery, but according to Reed, the veteran lineman shed his walking boot by the end of last season only to be placed back in the boot and to later shed it by OTAs. Reed notes that “the back-and-forth has raised questions about [Wilkins’] recovery process,” but adds that what he’s able to do at practice will provide more clarity on where he may be at this time in his recovery. Wilkins signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders last offseason but only appeared in five games before going down. In those games he tallied 17 tackles, two sacks and two TFLs. The Raiders are counting on Wilkins’ being healthy next season as they look to improve on a disappointing 2024 season that saw them go 4-13 while ranking 25th in points allowed.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that Wilkins will be placed on injured reserve. He exited the Raiders’ Week 5 game against the Broncos early and now undergoes surgery to repair a Jones fracture. Wilkins has tallied 17 tackles and two sacks this season after signing with the Raiders in the offseason. Adam Butler and John Jenkins will fill the void while Wilkins remains out.

Wilkins notched a sack before exiting, bringing his season-long tally up to two. The three-down defensive tackle entered Week 5 with eight quarterback pressures and eight run-defense tackles, both figures ranking third among Raiders defenders. His loss is significant.

Tyree Wilson’s status remains up in the air but Maxx Crosby is good to go as well. Wilkins, signed to a four-year, $110 million contract in the offseason, is still looking for his first sack as a Raider. He will look for it against Andy Dalton, who is making his first start of the season, this week.

Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is also questionable. Wilson injured his knee after 11 snaps in Week 1. He was upgraded to a full participant on Friday, giving him a good shot of suiting up. Regardless of his status, the Raiders are expected to have Maxx Crosby, a one-man wrecking crew on the defensive line, available for this game. He should have no issues causing trouble for Andy Dalton in his first start of the year.