Falcons won't face Las Vegas Raiders' best player in Week 15

The Atlanta Falcons need all the help they can get after losing their last four games, and it appears they’ve caught a major break ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

On Saturday, the Raiders ruled out star defensive end Max Crosby on their final injury report for Week 15. It was later reported that Crosby would have season-ending surgery on his ankle. 

The 27-year-old is one of the NFL’s truly elite pass rushers, racking up 59.5 sacks since 2019. Crosby confirmed that he was having surgery on his Instagram account.

Maxx Crosby makes it official: His season is over. https://t.co/wsFOkj4B0x pic.twitter.com/XcA6podvb6

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2024

The Raiders aren’t just banged up on defense, they may also be without starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell. The second-year QB missed all three days of practice and was listed as questionable for Monday night’s game in Las Vegas. 

If O’Connell can’t play (which seems likely), former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is the next man up for the Raiders. Ridder has appeared in four games but this would be his first start.

With Kirk Cousins struggling, Ridder has the chance to get some payback against his former team on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” Cousins and the Falcons desperately need a win to snap their four-game losing streak.

Check out the team’s latest injury report and depth chart entering Week 15.