Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 53-man roster prediction after preseason Game No. 2

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden shakes quarterback Derek Carr's (4) hand after a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Lv
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden shakes quarterback Derek Carr's (4) hand after a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyj Vs Lv /
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HENDERSON, NEVADA – JULY 28: Cory Littleton #42 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs a drill during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 28, 2021, in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JULY 28: Cory Littleton #42 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs a drill during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 28, 2021, in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 2021 53-man roster prediction after preseason Game No. 2

Linebacker (5): Tanner Muse, Nick Kwiatkoski, Cory Littleton, Divine Deabo, Not-on-roster

The linebacker group has gone from one that looked to be a strength, to one that is very thin, as injuries have begun ravaging the unit. We know Tanner Muse, Nick Kwiatkoski, Cory Littleton, and Divine Deablo are going to make the 53-man roster, but who is going to provide depth outside of them.

Kwiatkoski was the best linebacker on the team for most of last season, and we did see the emergence of Nicholas Morrow. Littleton was the prized free-agent addition in 2020, be he struggled under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, and the expectation is he will breakout in Bradley’s system in 2021.

The fifth linebacker I believe is not on the roster right now, as both Nicholas Morrow and Javin White’s injuries could keep them out for the beginning of the season. Both men have looked great this summer, and it is a real shame they are injured this close to Week 1, so trading for a linebacker, or adding one via free agency could be in the cards.