The Las Vegas Raiders’ $110 million investment in Christian Wilkins is rapidly turning into a nightmare. After playing just five games in 2024 due to a serious foot injury, the star defensive tackle is now facing the possibility of missing the entire 2025 NFL season following a reported setback that could require a second surgery.
Second surgery could sideline Christian Wilkins again and derail Raiders’ defensive plans
Christian Wilkins was expected to bring game-changing energy to the Raiders' defensive front when he signed his four-year deal last offseason. But just five weeks into the 2024 campaign, he went down with a Jones fracture in his foot. The injury required surgery and ended his season prematurely.
Initially, there was optimism surrounding his recovery. Wilkins was seen without a walking boot late last season, giving hope that he'd be back to full strength for 2025. However, things took a turn when he reportedly had to wear the boot again during the offseason due to a setback.
Now, according to Mitchell Renz of Raiders Report, Wilkins may need a second surgery and if that happens, he could be ruled out for the entire 2025 NFL season. Renz cited a trusted source close to the situation, claiming that the Raiders’ medical staff is advising the procedure despite Wilkins’ reluctance.
“Wilkins does, in fact, need another surgery,” Renz said. “I’m telling you that somebody that I trust told me yesterday that it is a fact that [Wilkins] is going to have to undergo another surgery.”
That’s not the only voice echoing concern. NFL insider Tony Pauline reported back in May that Wilkins’ foot injury hadn’t fully healed and that another procedure was a possibility.
For the Raiders, this development is a crushing blow. Wilkins was supposed to be the anchor of the interior defense. Now, they face another year of uncertainty at the position with no clear timeline for his return.
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Detroit Lions must trade for Trey Hendrickson to fix pass rush and elevate Super Bowl chancesAdding to the pressure is Wilkins’ contract structure, the Raiders don’t have a clean escape route until 2026, and even then, a release would cost them nearly $20 million in dead-cap money pre-June 1. If Wilkins undergoes another surgery, it could reshape the Raiders’ defensive future for years to come.
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