How does Vontaze Burfict’s suspension affect the Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended for the rest of the season after a hit he delivered on Colts tight end Jack Doyle.

Vontaze Burfict has had a long list of issues and suspensions in the NFL, and he added onto that list on Sunday. Burfict hit Jack Doyle in a helmet to helmet collision in the middle of the field as Doyle was attempting to stand up after a catch.

Burfict was ejected from the game, and a day later received his season-long suspension. The hit was illegal and worthy of being ejected, despite the NFL being inconsistent in making these calls so far this season.

A year-long suspension for any hit seems like a stretch, especially in this instance. Burfict’s suspension clearly does not come only because of this hit, but because of his long history of making illegal tackles.

Burfict has been suspended for a total of 22 games for over $5 million in his career. The Raiders knew the risk that they were taking when they signed Burfict, and before this, Burfict was a massive piece in the Raiders defense.

Without Burfict, the Raiders are losing a ton. Burfict is the leader of this defense and knows the defense better than anyone else on the team. Players have been talking all offseason about how much of a difference Burfict has made in the defense, and now that leadership is gone.

Tahir Whitehead will more than likely become the on the field leader of this defense, and although Whitehead is a great player, he does not know the in and outs of the defense the way Burfict does.

Along with the loss of leadership on the defense, the Raiders also lose a great linebacker in an already thin group of players. The Raiders picked up multiple free agents before the Colts games, and now they will need to add another.

The Raiders could consider bringing back Brandon Marshall or Jason Cabinda, but neither of these players will be able to fill the void that Burfict has left.

It will be interesting to see how the defense plays in Week 5, and I would expect to see a lot of blown coverages, missed assignments, and missed tackles over the middle without Burfict out there.