Raiders relying on unfamiliar faces after pair of defensive line injuries

Ten out of 11 expected Raiders’ defensive starters trotted out onto the field at SoFi Stadium for the first possession of the season last week.

The lone surprise was a big one.

Charles Snowden, who didn’t make the Raiders’ initial 53-man roster and was only elevated three days before game day after Malcolm Koonce injured his knee, got the call as the starting edge rusher opposite Maxx Crosby.

The former undrafted free agent out of the University of Virginia, who had spent the previous years on three different NFL practice squads, saw his first game action since 2021 and eventually notched his first tackle as a professional against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I’ve been working at this for multiple years now, practicing against the best of the best in the world, so I’ve always kind of known and believed in myself that I’m a professional and deserve to be out there,” he said earlier this week. “At no point was I really wide-eyed or anything like that. It was more, now that I’m out there, I’m ready to show everyone that I do belong out here.”

It looks like the 26-year-old will continue to get that opportunity this season starting with Las Vegas’ Week 2 game at 10 a.m. on the road against Baltimore.

The Raiders “got thin real quick” at the edge position, in the words of coach Antonio Pierce. After adding Koonce to injured reserve, ensuring he will miss at least four games, they also lost planned rotational piece Tyree Wilson following only two snaps at the Chargers.

That left Snowden and Janarius Robinson, who was promoted from the practice squad late last season, as the only edge-rushing options next to Crosby. They both proved serviceable, with Snowden receiving 30 snaps to Robinson’s 24.

Las Vegas brought in one reinforcement this week, signing former Jacksonville Jaguar first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson to the practice squad. Chaisson seems likely to get promoted to the active roster at some point, especially if Wilson’s leg injury holds him out for multiple weeks.

But Week 2 might be too soon with Chaisson having only practiced a couple times so the Raiders will likely go into the Ravens game again relying on Robinson and Snowden.

“For those guys moving forward, just keep focusing on (physicality),” Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. “Focus on setting a good edge, playing with your hands out in front of your eyes, making sure that you're controlling your block, and we'll get to the pass rush stuff later.”

Graham has specifically praised Snowden for his attention to detail in practice. He pointed out how physical Snowden was playing to the whole defensive line group during one drill in practice Wednesday.

Pierce has praised Snowden too. He mentioned the former Chicago Bear and Tampa Bay Buccaneer as one of the last cuts coming out of training camp and was relieved the Raiders were able to retain him on the practice squad.

Pierce just didn’t imagine he’d be pressed into action this quickly.

“That’s just football,” defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said of the injuries to Koonce and Wilson. “That's just how it goes. That kind of stuff is a part of the game, but it can’t really slow us down. We’ve just got to step up more on the interior knowing one of your brothers is down.”

Wilson has been seen around the team facility all week wearing a sleeve on his leg and spent time laughing with Robinson in the locker room on Thursday. He hasn’t practiced but most signs point towards his injury not being too serious.

There’s bigger concern with Koonce. Pierce has repeatedly turned down the chance to detail Koonce’s timeline and teammates have been quick to wish him well.

“It’s a horrible, unfortunate situation,” Crosby said. “We love Malcolm. He brings a lot of juice and he’s a great player. Seeing one of our brothers get hurt sucks but it’s the National Football League at the end of the day. We’ve got to keep showing up and find a way to win. There are no excuses ever. We’re praying for him and hopefully he’ll be fine. But, at the end of the day, whoever is out there we’ve got to play our best football.”

To Robinson, it’s surreal that he and Snowden are being counted on together. They’ve been friends dating back to their college days playing against each other in the ACC, where Robinson played for Florida State.

As happy as Robinson is that he’s getting his own shot in the NFL, he also said he, “can’t be more proud,” about how he’s watched Snowden develop.

“We’re pretty close and just pushing each other,” Robinson said. “This is our opportunity. This is our team, so it’s taking full advantage of it.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or