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 worsening an ankle injury enough to require surgery, hours after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported he would go under the knife.
He was also officially ruled out of Saturday’s Monday game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Crosby’s full statement:
As much as it pains me to write this, I will not be playing the rest of the season. For the second time this year, he sprains the same ankle and now it will require surgery. As much as it pains me not to go to war with my brothers and for the fans, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I absolutely do not regret my approach, approach and discipline to this game.
Instead of sitting out over a month with my first high ankle sprain in Baltimore, I only missed 1 game and came back and fought all year because that’s who I am. If I can go, I can change it. Unfortunately, I got a chop block from the side and got another one, but this time even worse against Tampa. Some people will say I should take my time, rest and prepare for next year, I will never be that person. I have a team around me that has allowed me to come back and keep jamming even though I really haven’t been completely healthy all year.
I will stand in the fire no matter the circumstances because this game is my life. If I get a heartbeat, I expect to play for the fans who spend their hard earned money to watch me perform and wear my jersey every Sunday. I do it because it means everything to me and I will never change my approach to this game. Even though I don’t understand why this happens, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I can feel bad and apologize, but I fucking refuse.
I will undergo this surgery and I will be on the warpath for greatness every day and I will be back to the best version of myself. I really believe in my soul that I’m changing the game one step at a time and changing the way he looks at the position. If you don’t believe me, if you have doubts, if you think I need to cool down, FINE… just LOOK at me. 🦅💎 #Limless
Crosby is reportedly scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on Monday to determine if further surgery is necessary. Crosby’s ankle has been bothering him since the Week 2 game in Las Vegas against the Baltimore Ravens, but his doctors worry the injury is worse than first thought.
For Crosby to be officially out is a major setback for a team that was already done. The Raiders’ record is 2-11, despite Crosby being tied for the NFL lead in tackles for loss with 17, while he has 7.5 sacks, 45 tackles and five passes defensed. He also ranks sixth in the league with 54 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
With the Raiders out of playoff contention and in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, there was no reason to bring Crosby back even at best.
Crosby’s future in Las Vegas was a question at the NFL trade deadline and could continue this season as he is under contract for two more seasons and could receive a draft pick if the Raiders decide to engage in a youth movement. However, Raiders owner Mark Davis tried to dispel those whispers:
“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.