Koonce (knee) was spotted participating in Thursday's practice, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.
Koonce sustained an ACL injury prior to the beginning of Las Vegas' 2024 season, but he now appears to have moved past the issue. During the 26-year-old's last full season (2023), he tallied 43 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles over 482 defensive snaps. Now fully healthy and playing on a one-year prove-it deal, Koonce is expected to be one of the Raiders' most effective edge rushers in 2025.
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Raiders' Malcolm Koonce: Still recovering
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Koonce (knee) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
The 26-year-old is still rehabbing from the ACL injury sustained before the start of the Raiders' 2024 campaign, so it's no surprise he was sidelined Wednesday. Koonce is still expected to be ready for the beginning of Las Vegas' 2025 season after inking a one-year, $12 million extension in early March. Once healthy, he's expected to serve as one of the team's top edge rushers.
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Raiders' Malcolm Koonce: Done for year
Rotowire
Koonce will undergo season-ending knee surgery next week, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Koonce sustained a knee injury during practice leading up to Week 1 against the Chargers. There was optimism that the 2021 third-round pick could return during the regular season, but following additional evaluations on his knee, it was determined that surgery is best for Koonce's long-term health, per Reed. Koonce entered the season with high hopes after breaking through in 2023, finishing with 43 tackles (32 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles across 17 regular-season games. He will enter the 2025 offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
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Raiders' Malcolm Koonce: Out Sunday with knee soreness
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Head coach Antonio Pierce said Koonce is out for Sunday's game against the Chargers with knee soreness, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
Pierce did not expand on Koonce's injury or how it occured, but the defensive end will at least be out against Los Angeles. Janarius Robinson will likely assume the starting defensive end spot for Sunday, accompanying the front of Maxx Crosby, John Jenkins and Christian Wilkins. Koonce's next chance to see the field will be next Sunday against the Ravens.
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Raiders' Malcolm Koonce: Eight sacks in breakout season
Rotowire
Koonce notched 43 tackles (32 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 17 games during the 2023 season.
Koonce blossomed into a formidable pass rusher across from second-team All-Pro Maxx Crosby (knee) throughout the latter stages of the season, as the former racked up six sacks and two forced fumbles from Weeks 15-18 alone. Koonce stayed fresh by rotating defensive snaps with 2023 seventh overall pick Tyree Wilson, and this duo figures to compete against each other for a starting role again in 2024. Wilson might own the draft capital advantage, but Koonce now checks the proven production box.
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Raiders' Malcolm Koonce: Makes big impact Thursday night
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Koonce registered three tackles (all solo), including two sacks, and forced two fumbles in Thursday's 63-21 victory versus the Chargers.
Koonce played just over half of Las Vegas' defensive snaps in the contest and made a big impact when he was in the game. The third-year defensive end set the tone early with a first-quarter sack of Easton Stick that resulted in a fumble that was recovered by the Raiders. Koonce repeated the feat on the final play of the third quarter, and this time the fumble recovery was taken in for a score by teammate John Jenkins. Koonce now has 32 tackles (24 solo), including 4.0 sacks, over 14 games on the campaign.
