Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jerry Tillery had his moments this season and was a reliable option on the defensive line.
Tillery played in all 17 of the Raiders' games, having made six starts. His first start came in Week 1 when Tillery sent a message with a solid outing against the Denver Broncos, posting three combined tackles, one for a loss, and a sack en route to Las Vegas' 17-16 victory.
Tillery got another start two weeks later against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it was his last under the Josh McDaniels-Dave Ziegler regime.
The veteran defensive end took a lot of heat for a late-game hit against Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 4. He was ejected for the penalty.
As part of the new changes under Coach Antonio Pierce's reign, Tillery was placed in the starting lineup for four of Pierce's nine games at the helm, including one of his best games of the season in Week 10 against the New York Jets. Tillery recorded four combined tackles and a quarterback hit in the Raiders' 16-12 win, their second straight victory under Pierce.
The former first-round pick played a huge rule in the Raiders' record-setting 63-21 win over the Chargers, Tillery's former team, in Week 15. He registered three combined tackles, one for a loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
Tillery finished the 2023 season with 31 combined tackles, two for losses, and two sacks.
The second-year Raider had been waived by Los Angeles in November of 2022 and was claimed by Las Vegas just days later. Last March, the Raiders re-signed Tillery to a two-year, $6.8-million contract.
With one year left on his contract, the Raiders will be looking for a strong 2024 campaign from Tillery. He showed this season that he could very well be capable of it.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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