The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping to make a leap and compete for the postseason in 2025, but their defense will have to step up if that is to become a reality. One of the biggest questions surrounding the team involves their secondary, as the team lost a pair of starters, including safety Tre’von Moehrig, who was second on the team in tackles.
One player who looked to be a potentially important piece of this Raiders secondary was Lonnie Johnson Jr., who signed a one-year deal with the franchise this offseason. While Johnson didn’t project as a starter, he did seem to be part of the team’s secondary rotation in specific packages.
Unfortunately, Johnson will now be out for some time as the safety suffered a broken leg during practice on Saturday, and the extent of the damage done remains unclear, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN:
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered a broken fibula during Saturday’s practice at Allegiant Stadium, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Johnson will get an MRI to determine if there is additional damage.
The six-year veteran was carted off the field after he collided with defensive end Maxx Crosby while attempting to tackle running back Raheem Mostert.
It is an unfortunate break for Johnson, who was receiving some first-team reps in certain sets when the Raiders went with three safeties, moving Jeremy Chinn to nickel back in those instances. Johnson is a six-year veteran, but has been primarily a backup lately with just one start in the past three seasons in stints in Tennessee, New Orleans and Carolina.
Until the full extent of the injury is known, it’s unclear just how long Johnson will be out, but the pressure will now be on head coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to fill that void. The team did bring in veteran Jamal Adams, but he has been operating more as a linebacker than safety at this stage. Perhaps that may need to change now.
Christian Wilkins ‘playful kiss’ on teammate played role in Raiders’ release
The Raiders have already lost a player they hoped would be a key part of their defense this year, as they chose to release defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. His recovery from a Jones fracture that ended his 2024 season seemed to be the primary reason the Raiders decided to part ways and try to take back the guaranteed money he was owed. But apparently, an incident in the locker room involving a ‘playful kiss’ from Wilkins to a teammate didn’t help.
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