Raiders Receive Brutal Update on $110 Million Star
The Las Vegas Raiders have largely struggled in recent years due to their inability to draft effectively. However, poor decisions in free agency have also plagued the franchise.
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Last offseason, it seemed like things took a turn under general manager Tom Telesco, as he signed durable defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million deal. Finally, the team seemingly had a star interior defender with no known limitations.
Unfortunately, Wilkins broke his foot in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos and did not return to the field in 2024. The same injury kept him out of the team's entire offseason program this spring under new head coach Pete Carroll as well.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94).Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
While conflicting reports piled in about exactly where Wilkins stood in the recovery process, Carroll admitted to the media that a difficult road was ahead for the six-year veteran.
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On Tuesday, however, The Athletic's Tashan Reed provided an update about Wilkins' injury, and it was a brutal blow for the Raiders.
"#Raiders DT Christian Wilkins is back in a walking boot (he was in attendance at Kyle Van Voy's charity golf challenge yesterday)," Reed wrote. "It's the same foot where he suffered a Jones Fracture last October."
Wilkins being in a boot in late June puts his status for training camp, and even the regular season, in jeopardy. Regardless, he will be behind his peers as he attempts to learn a new system without having on-field reps during OTAs or mandatory minicamp.
In 2024, Wilkins recorded 17 tackles, including two for a loss, as well as 2.0 sacks in just five games. The Raiders re-signed veteran Adam Butler this offseason, added Leki Fotu in free agency, and grabbed J.J. Pegues and Tonka Hemingway in the draft.
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Any combination of these players may need to be leaned on by Las Vegas as they sort through Wilkins' injury situation in its entirety.
Related: Raiders Land Better Madden NFL 26 Team Rating Than AFC West Rival
Related: Pete Carroll Names Biggest Reason Why He Came Out of Retirement to Join Raiders
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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