For months, reporters and analysts speculated about whether Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Christian Wilkins would be able to show up for training camp on time. Now, it seems, we have an answer, and it’s not the one many were hoping for.
The Raiders announced they have placed Wilkins on the PUP list on July 18, effectively keeping him off the field altogether. There is one silver lining, however. As a player on the PUP list, he can return at any time during training camp and the preseason.
However, there is a deadline requiring him to return by the time the final 53-man roster is settled. If he misses the deadline, it will require him to sit out for four games to start the season.
The Raiders have every reason to hope he can return earlier, but if not, they need to put together a backup plan. Here’s a look at what can be done.
Raiders Make A Run At Trey Hendrickson
It has been widely reported all offseason long that Trey Hendrickson is unhappy with the Cincinnati Bengals. It would be a long shot, but it might be worth seeing if the Bengals have any interest in trading their pass rusher with Hendrickson in the midst of a holdout.
On the Bengals’ side, it would remove the drama from their lives and also get him out of their division.
For the Raiders, it would get Carroll an impressive piece to put alongside Maxx Crosby and help fill in for Wilkins’ loss of sack production.
Hendrickson, heading into an age-31 season, would be a gamble if the Raiders paid him, but if successful, such a move could change the entire look of the Raiders heading into the year, on a scale not unlike adding Geno Smith changing the look of the offense.
Sign Jadeveon Clowney
With everything still up in the air for Wilkins, the Las Vegas Raiders could take a hard look at signing Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney is arguably the best defensive lineman available and is coming off a 5.5 sack season.
Adding Clowney would raise the pass rusher floor, and once Wilkins returns, the attack could be ferocious. At least when it comes to the defensive line, Carroll might suddenly have a pass rush position within range of a Legion of Boom-like room.
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Sign DeMarcus Walker
If they can’t get Clowney, they could take a look at DeMarcus Walker, a veteran of the AFC West. Walker spent his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos, making him comfortable playing in stadiums around the division.
Walker worked under Vance Joseph early in his career, giving the Raiders a potential inside source of information as a bonus. He also earned seven sacks as recently as 2022 and was productive with the Chicago Bears in 2023 and 2024.
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