Tashan Reed explains what went wrong with Christian Wilkins, Raiders

Tashan Reed, Las Vegas reporter for The Athletic, joined The Drive Guys on Tuesday to make sense of the confusing, late release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

Wilkins, 29, was working his way back from a season-ending Jones fracture to his left foot, sustained in the Raiders’ 34-18 loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 6. Wilkins did not participate in drills during OTAs in May nor in mandatory minicamp, according to media reports.

“The team determined earlier this offseason that he would actually need a second procedure in order to properly heal,” Reed said. “Wilkins didn’t want to get that surgery.”

ESPN reported that the Raiders have voided the remaining $35.2 million of guaranteed money and that Christian Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFLPA on Thursday.

With the Raiders having voided Wilkins’ guaranteed money in June, the question became why fully release Wilkins (waiving his guaranteed money as well) at the start of training camp.

Reed also mentions the reporting that Wilkins kissed a teammate on the head, which was then taken to HR. It’s not the first instance of inappropriate behavior from Wilkins during his time playing football, as it was a “combination of things” that led to Las Vegas releasing the defensive tackle.

More on Christian Wilkins

Wilkins recorded 17 tackles and two sacks in five games (all starts) before having season-ending surgery.

He has totaled 372 tackles, 22.5 sacks, one interception, four forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries in 86 career regular-season games (82 starts) with the Miami Dolphins and Raiders. He was selected by the Dolphins with the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

More Las Vegas Raiders coverage on Sactown Sports:

Three-time All-Pro safety Jamal Adams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, reuniting with former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.

Jamal Adams, 29, was once one of the league’s premier safeties, making three consecutive All-Pro teams from 2018-2020 with the New York Jets and Seahawks. Since 2020, when he was named to the All-Pro Second Team with Seattle, Adams has struggled to stay healthy.

The LSU product has played 27 games (25 starts) in the four seasons since, appearing in only five games (three starts) last year with the Titans and Lions.

He has recorded four interceptions, 36 passes defended and 501 total tackles in 85 career games (83 starts) for the Jets (2017-19), Seahawks (2020-23), Tennessee (2024) and Detroit (2024).

Read More:

Reports: S Jamal Adams signing with Las Vegas Raiders

Thank you for reading sactownsports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Crosby-Cousins scuffle shows Raiders’ competitive edge at Training CampInsider: Raiders have a plan for Fernando Mendoza as Training Camp beginsWhy the Raiders finally have a clear direction entering 2026No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Raiders at odds over bonusFormer NFL All-Pro DE Aldon Smith dies at 36Raiders OTAs: Kirk Cousins helping Fernando Mendoza adjust to NFL life