Defensive end Malcolm Koonce returns to practice
The Las Vegas Raiders got a major boost this week when starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce returned to the practice field for the first team since tearing the ACL in a knee three days before the 2024 regular season started while on the practice field.
The Raiders are in their third week of voluntary OTA sessions and media was allowed to watch practice Thursday. Koonce was participating for the first time this spring according to multiple reports.
That is a great sign that Koonce should be able to work through training camp and be on pace to play when the regular season starts Sept. 7 at the New England Patriots.
Koonce spoke to media members last week and expressed confidence he was making big strides. He signed a one-year contract for just more than $11 million in free agency this spring. Koonce was expected to be a major part of Las Vegas’ defense last season and the same is expected in 2025. Koonce surged at the end of the 2023 season. The 2021 third-round pick had eight of his 10 career sacks in 2023 and now he appears on his way to being fully healthy for the start of this season.
ESPN reported backup offensive lineman Thayer Munford returned to practice.
As expected, it was reported that defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was still not practicing Thursday. Last week, Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll said Wilkins’ return from a broken foot last October has been “challenging.’” it has been reported that the team is hopeful Wilkins, who signed a four-year, $110 million contract last season, can return to the practice field in August.
Also, The Athletic reported that defensive tackle Adam Butler and safety Jeremy Chinn were not practicing Thursday for undisclosed reasons.