Raiders Place Star DT Christian Wilkins on PUP List Amid Recovery From Broken foot…read more…
The Las Vegas Raiders have officially placed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as training camp kicks off, the team announced Saturday. The move comes as Wilkins continues to recover from a broken foot sustained earlier this offseason, a significant injury that has clouded his availability heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Wilkins, one of the Raiders’ marquee offseason additions, was expected to immediately bolster Las Vegas’s defensive front after signing a massive four-year, $110 million deal in March, with $84.75 million guaranteed. His signing was hailed as a cornerstone move by general manager Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce, who are both looking to reshape the team’s identity through toughness and dominance in the trenches.
The injury occurred during a private workout in June, according to sources close to the team. While initially reported as minor, follow-up evaluations revealed a fracture in Wilkins’ right foot that required a procedure to aid in healing. Team officials say the move to the PUP list is largely precautionary, but his status will be monitored closely in the coming weeks.
“Christian is progressing well,” Pierce said in a media session Saturday. “This isn’t a setback—it’s about being smart. We know what he brings to this team, and we want him at 100 percent. We’re going to take our time and make sure when he’s back, he’s good to go for the long haul.”
Being placed on the active/PUP list means Wilkins can be activated at any point during training camp. However, if he remains on the list when final 53-man rosters are set in late August, he would be required to sit out the first four games of the regular season under current NFL rules.
The 29-year-old former Clemson standout is coming off a career year with the Miami Dolphins, notching 65 total tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. His arrival in Las Vegas was expected to finally give the Raiders a disruptive presence alongside All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, forming a formidable duo meant to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
Without Wilkins, the Raiders will look to a combination of veterans and younger players to fill the void in training camp. That includes 2023 third-round pick Byron Young, journeyman John Jenkins, and free-agent signee Adam Butler. None possess Wilkins’ combination of size, athleticism, and motor, but the team is hopeful depth and coaching can help carry the interior line in the short term.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham acknowledged the challenge of losing a presence like Wilkins, even temporarily. “It changes how you approach things,” Graham said. “Christian brings leadership and energy in addition to his skill. But it also creates opportunities for other guys to step up. We’re going to evaluate everyone and keep building.”
The timing of Wilkins’ injury complicates what was expected to be a breakout year for the Raiders defense. After finishing 21st in total defense in 2024, the team was aggressive in free agency and the draft to upgrade talent across the board. In addition to Wilkins, the Raiders added linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Xavier McKinney, and used a first-round pick on Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
There’s also heightened expectation entering Pierce’s first full season as head coach. Pierce, who took over midway through the 2024 season following the firing of Josh McDaniels, led a late-season surge that saw Las Vegas finish 8-9 and narrowly miss the playoffs. His no-nonsense style and emphasis on toughness have resonated throughout the organization, and Wilkins was seen as a cultural fit as much as a physical one.
“This is the kind of team I want to be a part of,” Wilkins said during his introductory press conference in March. “It’s about grit, about heart, about dominating the line of scrimmage. I’m here to win.”
With the 2025 season opener less than seven weeks away—a Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium—the Raiders face an uphill climb to ensure Wilkins is ready in time. While foot injuries for defensive linemen can be especially tricky due to the constant pressure and movement in the trenches, team doctors have so far expressed cautious optimism about his recovery trajectory.
“We’re not putting a hard timeline on it,” a team source told ESPN. “But Christian is attacking rehab like he attacks everything else—with intensity. He wants to be out there.”
Fans and analysts alike have speculated about how the defense will adapt if Wilkins is not ready to go early in the season. Some have suggested a potential scheme shift to account for his absence, while others believe the team could explore veteran options in free agency should his rehab stall. Names like Linval Joseph and Akiem Hicks—both still unsigned—have been floated as potential insurance.
But for now, the Raiders remain confident that Wilkins’ stint on the PUP list will be short-lived.
“This isn’t something we’re panicking over,” said Telesco. “Christian’s a pro. He knows his body. We have full confidence in his recovery, and we expect him to be a major part of what we do this year.”
Wilkins, for his part, has remained engaged with the team throughout offseason activities and minicamp. He’s been seen in meetings, working with younger players, and even participating in mental reps on the sideline. That leadership, even in absence, is not going unnoticed.
“It’s not just what he does on the field,” Crosby said. “It’s how he carries himself. He sets a tone. We’re lucky to have him—and when he’s back, the league’s going to feel it.”
As the Raiders embark on what they hope will be a playoff-caliber season, all eyes will remain on the health of their highest-paid defender. If Wilkins can return to form quickly, the team’s vision of a dominant, physical defense could finally come to fruition.
Until then, Las Vegas will lean on its depth, patience, and belief that its defesive anchor will soon be ready to rumble.
