Maxx Crosby’s Situation with the Raiders Explained

In the wake of Maxx Crosby walking out of the team facility, the Raiders shared more about their perspective on the dramatic situation. This was just a day after they announced he wouldn’t be playing on Sunday.

On Friday, the team declared that the five-time Pro Bowler would be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, including a game against the struggling 2-13 Giants, mainly due to ongoing injury issues.

The following day, the Raiders stated their intention to place Crosby on injured reserve and emphasized their desire to keep him with the team for years ahead.

In an official statement, the Raiders revealed that Maxx Crosby has been placed on the reserve/injured list for the rest of the 2025 season. “After thorough consultations with leading medical experts, it became apparent that this decision serves the best interests of our franchise and players,” they said.

“Max is a true warrior who has battled hard week after week since injuring his knee midway through the season,” they added.

Then, around the same time as the team’s announcement, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Crosby is expected to require knee surgery, which could keep him out until the offseason.

Crosby had been managing a knee injury since October, and on Friday, head coach Pete Carroll mentioned that an evaluation indicated the knee was in pretty bad shape. He noted, quite empathetically, that if he were in Crosby’s position, he might have left the facility too.

“He’s obviously devastated and thinking, ‘I want to get out of here.’ I told him, ‘Yeah, go ahead,’ and off he went,” Carroll remarked. “This wasn’t a sudden reaction for him. We’ve discussed it, and it’s exactly what anyone would assume he should do. I completely agree with his reaction.”

As for the upcoming game between the Raiders and the Giants, it could potentially determine which team secures the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. There’s a lot of chatter suggesting it’s an odd win-lose scenario. Earlier this week, Crosby made it clear he was not interested in participating in the “Tankathon.”

“To be honest, I can’t say much about the nomination,” Crosby told local reporters. “I’m not here for that, and it’s not my role. My focus is on being the best defensive end I can be every day, being a great leader and consistent presence for the team.”

Crosby has managed to rack up 10 sacks this season and remains under contract with the Raiders through 2029. However, his deal could potentially end in 2028.

Despite the current circumstances, Vegas reiterated its commitment to this star defensive lineman. “We are thankful for his tremendous contributions,” the team stated. “He is a genuine Raider, both on and off the field, and we look forward to his leadership and toughness into 2026 and beyond.”