The Las Vegas Raiders have announced their initial 53-man roster ahead of the 2026 NFL season, and no shortage of notable storylines have already emerged. Undoubtedly the most devastating, though, surrounded third-round rookie defensive end Keyron Crawford.
After going down with an injury during the final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Klint Kubiak wouldn't comment on the severity or nature of the damage. But on Sunday, fans learned that Crawford was placed on injured reserve without a designation to return.
That means that Crawford will miss the entire campaign as he recovers from an ankle injury. Not only is this brutal for the young player at the onset of his first NFL season, but it's tough for the Raiders, which invested an early pick in him this spring and now has a thinner edge rusher room than before.
Raiders rookie DE Keyron Crawford placed on season-ending IR
Fans were hoping that promising UDFA edge rusher Cian Slone being waived early on Sunday was a sign that Crawford's injury wasn't as serious as originally thought. But that turned out not to be the case, as Las Vegas is just running a bit lighter at defensive end than most originally thought.
Crawford was taken with the No. 67 pick as a developmental prospect behind Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce. He didn't start playing football until his senior year of high school, so Crawford being sidelined for his whole rookie campaign is bad for his evolution as a young player.
Although he wasn't necessarily starring during the preseason, nor was he primed for a massive role in Rob Leonard's defense, Crawford showed growth throughout the three-game exhibition slate, and he was playing his best football before he was carried off the field and carted to the locker room.
It is still unknown the exact timetable for Crawford, as details of his injury haven't been released. Perhaps fans will get clarity the next time Kubiak or John Spytek speaks to the media. But the fact of the matter is that it won't be until this time next year that Raider Nation sees him play in a game.
What will effectively be a redshirt year is still beneficial for Crawford, as he'll be able to soak up knowledge from the veterans in the room and spend the entire season in an NFL building, learning how to be a pro and establishing a routine. That is all still important.
Outside of Keyron Crawford, Raiders got good injury news on initial 53
As Raiders fans know, Crawford wasn't the only injury-related question that was going to be answered when Las Vegas announced its roster. Ashton Jeanty was the first name that came to mind, and he had no injury designation at all, so he could be back by Week 1 or shortly after.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. was in the same boat as Jeanty after missing almost all of training camp and the entire preseason. Thornton Jr. is on the 53-man team and not on injured reserve, so him playing on opening weekend is on the table as well.
Carter Runyon wasn't on the field at all during training camp, so fans didn't know what to expect. But the Raiders put him on the injured reserve with a designation to return, so he'll he eligible to play in Week 5, and his window to return to practice will open after two games.
So, while Crawford being out for the year is devastating for him, the fanbase and the organization, Las Vegas at least got some good injury-related news when it announced its initial roster. Get better, Keyron. See you next fall!
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