Breaking News: Raiders DE Maxx Crosby injured after receiving tough (but legal) low block vs. Chiefs….
Low Blow, Legal Hit: Maxx Crosby Injured by Chiefs’ Noah Gray in Divisional Blowout
The Las Vegas Raiders’ nightmare Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs took a turn for the worse after star defensive end Maxx Crosby was forced out of the game following a controversial, yet legal, low block. The hit, delivered by Chiefs tight end Noah Gray, injured Crosby’s knee and back, highlighting a brutal reality of the NFL rulebook and sending the already struggling Raiders defense into chaos.
The Incident: Low Block by Noah Gray
The injury occurred late in the second quarter of the Raiders’ eventual 31-0 rout by the Chiefs.
The Hit: Chiefs tight end Noah Gray delivered a low block, colliding with Crosby’s knee and sending the Raiders leader limping off the field. Crosby was immediately ruled doubtful to return with knee and back injuries.
The Rules Analyst’s Verdict: Despite the visually painful nature of the hit, it was confirmed to be completely legal. CBS Sports’ rules analyst Gene Steratore clarified that Gray’s block was permissible because it occurred within the “tight end box” and met the criteria for a legal low block.
Fan Outrage: Despite the technical legality, the hit immediately drew cries of “foul play” and “dirty” from fans across social media, many of whom argue that blocks below the waist should be banned entirely for player safety. The controversy highlights a recurring debate over the NFL’s rules on cut blocks and their potential to cause serious knee injuries.
The Raiders’ Nightmare Scenario
Losing Crosby, the “heartbeat of the defense” and a four-time Pro Bowler, was the worst possible scenario for a Raiders team that was already overmatched and severely shorthanded.
Pre-Existing Issues: It was later revealed that Crosby was not $100\%$ entering the game, having been managing a back and knee issue leading up to the AFC West clash. His coach, Pete Carroll, admitted the team admired Crosby’s “heroic fashion” for attempting to play through the pain but had to pull him from the game because he “didn’t look right.”
Defensive Collapse: Crosby’s exit came at a critical time, and the Raiders’ defense quickly evaporated, contributing to the dominant Chiefs victory. The team was already without key offensive weapons like tight end Brock Bowers and wideout Jakobi Meyers.
Identity Crisis: The loss of their defensive leader compounded the Raiders’ identity crisis, reinforcing the harsh truth that the team is “getting blown out” in critical games and is facing a daunting rebuilding process.
The Silver Lining: Injury Not Career-Threatening
The only good news for Las Vegas came the morning after the loss, just as the team headed into its bye week:
Maxx is Expected to Be OK: NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Crosby’s injury is not believed to be a major knee injury and that his removal from the game was more of a precaution given the score of the game.
Time to Heal: The Week 8 bye arrives at a crucial time, giving Crosby and other injured players much-needed time to recover before the Raiders return to action in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, the injury sparked a sober conversation among analysts about whether the Raiders organization is failing its most valuable asset by repeatedly allowing him to put his body in harm’s way during what is rapidly becoming a “lost season.” The trade deadline is approaching, and questions about rebuilding the franchise loom large.
