Will Maxx Crosby play for the Raiders against the Browns? NFL Week 4 injury status

Maxx Crosby’s absence looms large as the Raiders gear up for their Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Las Vegas faces a difficult Sunday without two of their most influential players - Crosby and wide receiver Davante Adams. These aren’t just any names on the roster. Crosby and Adams are cornerstones, the kind of players who shift the balance of a game. So, when word came down that neither would be on the field, the impact was immediate and far-reaching.

Crosby, nursing a high ankle sprain from two weeks ago in Baltimore, tried to tough it out against Carolina, but it was clear he wasn’t at full speed. This week, he hasn’t practiced, and Sunday will mark the first game he’ll miss since he entered the league back in 2019. For a guy like Crosby, who’s built a reputation as one of the toughest and most effective pass rushers, it’s no small thing to sit out. Las Vegas is already thin at defensive end with Malcolm Koonce sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL, making Crosby’s absence sting even more.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce knows what it means to lose a player of Crosby’s caliber, but he’s focused on keeping his team steady. “Just give us your best,” Pierce said of the players stepping in for Crosby. “Don’t try to be the hero of the game. Be a team player.” It’s sound advice for a defensive line that will now rely on guys like Charles Snowden, Tyree Wilson, and Janarius Robinson to step up.

And then there’s Adams. After tweaking his hamstring during Thursday’s practice, Adams won’t suit up either. With 18 catches for 209 yards and a touchdown through three games, his presence is hard to replace. But Pierce isn’t asking anyone to try. “I don’t need anybody else to be Davante Adams,” Pierce said. “There’s only one. I just need the best versions of Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, and the rest of those receivers.” The pressure will be on them to carry a passing attack that’s heavily leaned on Adams’ consistency.

The hits keep coming. Tight end Michael Mayer is out for personal reasons, and the offensive line will be missing right tackle Thayer Munford Jr. due to a knee and ankle issue. Linebacker Divine Deablo, who’s been dealing with an oblique injury, won’t be available either.

This cascade of injuries has already altered the betting landscape. Earlier in the week, the Raiders were slight favorites, but as more injury news trickled in, the Browns slid into the role of favorites. The current line has Cleveland up by 1.5 points, a sign of how much faith oddsmakers place in Crosby and Adams’ impact.

It’s not all smooth sailing for the Browns, though. They’ve got their own injury problems to contend with. Tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin are both out, as is tight end David Njoku. Running back Pierre Strong Jr. won’t be on the field either, leaving the Browns short-handed in key positions. And while Myles Garrett, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, insists he’ll play, he’s been fighting through his own set of injuries.

It’s shaping up to be a game of attrition as much as strategy, with both teams grappling with notable absences. For the Raiders, missing Crosby and Adams changes the landscape entirely. How the rest of the roster handles the pressure could make all the difference.