RAIDERS’ CROSBY IN LEAD ROLE
Linebacker Robert Spillane, known for having a strong inner drive, thought he could match Maxx Crosby’s intensity after signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason.
Then came the first practice in April.
Crosby ran full sprints up and down the field, over and over again.
So much for matching Crosby’s energy.
“He’s in midseason form, sprinting 23 miles an hour,” Spillane said. “I learned that day what type of intensity he carries with him. He’s never changed, never faltered one day. It’s exciting to be able to work with somebody like that.”
Crosby, in many ways, has emerged as the face of the Raiders, or at least he’s right there with wide receiver Davante Adams. That has been especially true over the past two weeks.
The team had an emotional meeting leading up to the game at Detroit on Oct. 30 in which players and coaches shared their feelings about the season’s struggles. After the Raiders were beaten 26-14 by the Lions to drop to 3-5, the club fired coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler the next night.
On Saturday, the day before the Raiders were to play the New York Giants, Crosby asked an equipment manager to buy about 100 cigars. Then Las Vegas went out and beat the Giants 30-6, and afterward the locker room was filled with smoke as the players celebrated after the difficult stretch.
“It was kind of spur of the moment, but I’m a big cigar guy,” Crosby said. “So we’re going to keep doing that.”
Crosby, who is tied for second in the NFL with 91⁄2 sacks, said he prefers to lead by example.
As a fourth-round draft pick in 2019 out of Eastern Michigan, Crosby wasn’t going to just walk in and make his voice heard.
“It takes time and growth and maturity to be a good leader,” Crosby said. “So for me, it’s a process every single day. Every day I show up, I’ve got to give it my best. It’s something I’m growing at and I’m still at it, trying to improve in any way.”
Heinicke gets second start
Falcons coach Arthur Smith expects to provide clarity on the Atlanta’s longterm plan at quarterback soon.
Just not this week. Taylor Heinicke will make his second straight start in Sunday’s game at Arizona after Desmond Ridder lost the job because of his inability to avoid turnovers. Heinicke’s mixed results in last week’s 31-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings included 268 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Falcons (4-5) will have a bye following this week’s game against the Cardinals, giving Smith and his coaching staff a chance to assess the quarterback situation. For the second straight week, Smith says the commitment to start Heinicke is only for one game.
Jefferson back at practice
The Minnesota Vikings designated wide receiver Justin Jefferson for return from injured reserve
Wednesday, bringing the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year back to practice with three weeks to assess the readiness of his strained right hamstring for game action.
Wide receiver K.J. Osborn (concussion) remained out Wednesday. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (ribs) and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (groin) were listed as limited participants.
Notable
The Dallas Cowboys signed receiver Martavis Bryant to their practice squad Wednesday, ending a five-year absence from the NFL for a player who has been suspended three times.
Bryant was indefinitely suspended over substanceabuse violations late in 2018.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who is in his first year with the team, will move from the coach’s booth upstairs to field level to call Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, coach
Kyle Shanahan announced.
Patriots cornerback
J.C. Jackson, a former Charger who was demoted from the starting lineup in Sunday’s loss to the Commanders, is not expected to travel with the team to Frankfurt, Germany, for Sunday’s game against the Colts, a source confirmed.
Eagles linebacker
Nakobe Dean has been diagnosed with a Lisfranc sprain, a league source confirmed.
The Cardinals designated RB James Conner to return from the injured list.