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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Late last season, the Las Vegas Raiders shut down Maxx Crosby, and he underwent surgery in January 2026 for a significant meniscus tear and associated cartilage/bone stress injury in his left knee.

While Crosby prides himself on being out on the field and giving 100 percent effort, the veteran pass rusher will turn 29 before the start of the 2026 NFL season. As a result, with the injury and the player on the back end of his prime years, the Raiders might need to be more careful with him.

Because of that, Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers believes the Silver and Black could look to protect Crosby from himself, and with the arrival of Keyron Crawford, who the team drafted No. 67 in the 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas could have him rotate in for Crosby at times.

“I think in Year 1, [Crawford is] a good rotational piece,” Myers said on the May 1 edition of the “Raiders Squad Show.” “He’s a guy who can pin his ears back, get after the quarterback, and keep those edges fresh, which is what you want.

“I also think you’re going to see Maxx Crosby taking some plays off. I don’t think you’ll see him out there for 100 percent of the snaps this year. That would be reckless at this stage of his career. You want to keep him as healthy as possible. So overall, I think [Crawford is] a rotational piece.”

Keyron Crawford Excited to Play Alongside Maxx Crosby

Crawford finished the 2025 college football season with a 76.3 overall defensive grade from PFF, placing 166th out of 852 qualifying edge defenders. His pass-rush grade was 85.8, ranking 48th at the position, while his run-defense grade was 73.9, ranking 237th.

As a pass rusher, the former Auborn Tigers standout totaled 43 pressures, including five sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 26 hurries. Against the run, he recorded 23 solo tackles and forced one fumble during the season.

Following the Raiders’ selection of Crawford, the 22-year-old spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on playing alongside Crosby on the team’s defensive line.

“Maxx is definitely one of my favorite players just because of how he attacks the field and how he carries himself,“ Crawford told reporters on April 24. “I can’t lie, I’m going to pick apart everything about him.

“It’s about taking that and translating it to my game, my routine and my schedule, and trying to be the best person as well. Being able to learn from him at a young age is important, but at the same time, I still want to surpass him. If I can’t do that, I’d definitely love to play alongside him on the other edge.”

Raiders Explain Decision to Trade Tyree Wilson

Meanwhile, during the 2026 draft, the Raiders decided to part ways with Tyree Wilson after drafting Crawford. As a result, the Raiders’ VP of Player Personnel, Brandon Hunt, explained why it was time for both parties to part ways.

“We were going to say it was just an opportunity for a fresh start, a fresh start for him and a fresh start for us,“ Hunt told reporters on April 25. “The phone was ringing throughout the entire draft, and when that call came in, we looked at where we were as a team and the decisions we had made in free agency and the draft.

“We felt it was an awesome opportunity for him and for us. We wish him all the best. We’re thankful for his contributions as a Raider, and we think he’ll do a great job in New Orleans.”