Silver And Black Pride
Star defensive tackle will start training camp on Physically Unable to Perform list
In an unsurprising move, the Las Vegas Raiders announced they have put star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of training camp.
Wilkins suffered a foot fracture last October and has been slow to heal. The Raiders’ start training camp practices Wednesday. Wilkins can be lifted off the PUP list at any time during training camp. However, if he is not activated by the August 26 53-player cut-down date, he will have to miss, at least, the first four games of the regular season, which starts September 7 at the New England Patriots.
In May, Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll addressed Wilkins’ return from injury for the first time as the coach called the process “challenging.” Carroll didn’t elaborate much on the details of Wilkins’ setback. But the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the belief was Wilkins, who signed a four-year, $110 million contract in free agency in 2024 with the franchise, either had an inserted screw break or an actual bone break during his rehab. The report stated the team is hopeful he can return to practice in August, weeks before the start of the season. Friday, NFL Media reported that Wilkins, who was spotted in a walking boot in June, has been making “sound progress” recently.
In the big picture, Friday’s move doesn’t mean much. It just part of the process. Wilkins will either be ready for the season or he won’t and this move doesn’t change anything.
