Raiders: Defensive tackles fill up PUP list, need for Suh magnifies
As the Raiders’ injuries on the defensive line pile up, it may be time to bring in the highly coveted veteran free agent, Ndamukong Suh.
In June, free agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh publicly expressed his interest in joining the Las Vegas Raiders. At the time, while Josh McDaniels and the rest of the Raiders’ new regime was flattered, it seemed there was no place for Suh on the roster. Since things have changed.
Earlier in the week, the Silver and Black placed both [projected] starting defensive tackles, Bilal Nichols and Johnathan Hankins, on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Nichols, 25, is on year one of the 2y, $8.6M contract he signed this off-season. Hankins, another signing made by the Raiders in free agency, has suited up for the Raiders since 2018. Hankins has yet to appear in less than 14 contests in his four seasons with the team.
News of the defensive tackle unit continues to trend south, as Vernon Butler was placed on the non-football injury list Thursday afternoon. As the defensive interior group continues to weaken, the need for Suh only continues to grow bigger.
Suh is an immediate difference maker for the Raiders
With 70.5 sacks throughout his luxurious career, it’s hard not to want a Ndamukong Suh on your team. A sack master, All-Pro, and pillar of health, Suh brings all the things Raider Nation has cried for in the interior of the defensive line.
Suh has been awarded All-Pro honors on five occasions, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2010. Since 2012, only one defensive player leaguewide has managed to miss a total of zero contests; That player is Ndamukong Suh.
With the defensive tackle scares piling up, it may be time to kick the tires and bring in the veteran DT. In Las Vegas, Suh would instantly grab a starting role on the defensive line, whether or not both Nichols and Hankins can recover before the ’22 season kicking off.