NFL insider gives status update on Raiders' Christian Wilkins

Since joining the Las Vegas Raiders, staying on the field has been a problem for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who played in just five games during the 2024 NFL season.

He suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot in Week 5 against the Broncos, putting his availability for the 2025 season in question.

On Friday, the Raiders placed Wilkins on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which opens up a roster spot, according to Raiders insider Tashan Reed of the Athletic.

NFL Network Ian Rapoport, however, provided good news on Wilkins' potential return, reporting that the veteran is "making sound progress recently."

Wilkins' availability seemed grim when he was seen wearing a walking boot at Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy's charity golf challenge in June. As Reed pointed out, if Wilkins is still on the PUP list after cut day, he'll miss the first four games of the season, which could be the route the Raiders end up going anyways. 

No matter how you look at it, that is good news for the Raiders, who could see Wilkins on the field in Week 5, given that he continues to make progress.

The Raiders signed Wilkins to a four-year, $110M contract in 2024. He appeared in five games and had 17 tackles and two sacks before he got injured against the Broncos.

It would be a big boost for the Raiders if Wilkins does return to the starting lineup because he can create havoc on opposing offensive lines, and it would produce opportunities for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to get to the quarterback. It also may help other pass-rushers, such as Malcolm Koonce, who will also be returning from injury after missing all of last season because of a knee injury.

While Wilkins had a setback last season, at least the Raiders know that there is hope he could be back this season.