The Las Vegas Raiders' edge rusher group has already taken two hits to it because of injuries and we are just one game into the 2024 season.
First, 2023 breakout player Malcolm Koonce suffered a knee injury in practice in the week leading up to the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and was placed on injured reserve, which keeps him out a minimum of four games.
Then, fellow defensive end Tyree Wilson sustained a knee injury in the season-opener and left in the third quarter. Following the game, Wilson was spotted with a brace on his right knee and, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Wilson has a sprained knee that thankfully won't keep him out long term.
Even if he returns in short order, the Raiders can't depend on him, nor can they depend on Janarius Robinson, who is the next man up to start with Wilson sidelined.
Here's a look at three edge rushers the Raiders should target. Two of them are free agents, but one of them is on a practice squad currently.
Yannick Ngakoue
Who doesn't love a good reunion?
Ngakoue spent one season with the Raiders in 2021 and tallied 10 sacks, the second-most in a single season in his career. More recently, he posted four in 13 games with the Chicago Bears last season. In terms of pure pass-rushers, Ngakoue is the best of the bunch in free agency.
Marquis Haynes
Haynes was limited to just seven games last season due to injury and recorded just one sack in those contests. However, he showed he can make an impact in a limited role in 2022, posting five sacks in 17 games (one start).
Tyus Bowser (Seahawks practice squad)
Bowser is the one player on this list who is actually on a team, but the Raiders could poach him off the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad by adding him to the active roster and guaranteeing him a significant role, at least in the short term.
Bowser missed all of last season due to a knee injury. He tallied two sacks in nine games in 2022 and had a career-high seven in 17 games in 2021.
