HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll announced Friday that defensive end Maxx Crosby will not play in Sunday's matchup against the New York Giants because of a knee injury.
Crosby told Carroll that he wanted to leave the facility once informed of the team's decision. Carroll agreed.
"He knows that he's banged up, so he's talking about, 'I'd like to get out of here.' And I said, 'Yeah, get out of here.' So, he took off," Carroll said. "...This didn't just spring on him. We've been talking about it, and it was exactly what you would think he would do, and he should do. I agree with him 1,000 percent on how he responded, and I [would have] responded the same way."
Crosby has been dealing with a nagging knee injury since the Raiders' 31-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 but has managed to play in every game thus far.
Crosby did not practice this week. And after further evaluation, Carroll and the staff thought it was best to rest their best defensive player.
"Each week, he has done everything you could possibly imagine a guy could do to play, and he's been able to," Carroll said. "But after an evaluation we did Monday or Tuesday, whenever it was, it just looks too bad."
Carroll said it's a possibility that Crosby could also miss the team's season finale against the Chiefs, but an official decision has not been made. Carroll added that he doesn't think the move will impact their relationship.
He and Crosby spoke four times on Friday.
"Hopefully, the right conclusion for his long betterment," Carroll said.
Crosby is the third starter to be ruled out of the Raiders' Week 17 contest, in which the loser will assume control of the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. Tight end Brock Bowers and safety Jeremy Chinn were placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.
Crosby was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl after he totaled 10 sacks and 45 tackles (career-best 28 for loss) in 15 games. When Crosby was asked earlier in the week about the team potentially securing the top pick in the draft, he said, "Yeah, I don't give a s--- about the pick. I don't play for that.
"My job is to be the best defensive end in the world, and that's what I focus on every day, and being a great leader and being an influence," Crosby said. "That's [the front office's] job. But that's got nothing to do with me."
Curated by Priya Sharma
