The Las Vegas Raiders’ young EDGE rusher, Malcolm Koonce, was poised to build on 2023’s breakout season and position himself for a long-term contract extension with a strong performance in 2024. He had a great third season, boasting career highs in tackles, TFLs, QB hits, sacks, and forced fumbles. Koonce recorded 43 tackles, nine TFLs, 17 quarterback hits, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles in 11 starts.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ rising star missed all of 2024
Unfortunately, the strong 2024 season never happened for Malcolm Koonce due to a season-ending knee injury. He suffered a torn ACL during Thursday’s practice leading up to Week 1. To make matters worse, Koonce did not sign a lucrative contract extension this offseason, instead settling for a one-year, $12 million deal with $10.02 million guaranteed.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ key starter returned for OTAs
The Raiders kicked off voluntary organized team activities last week and are currently in Week 2, with practice sessions on Thursday and Friday wrapping up the week. So far, Malcolm Koonce has missed the spring workouts and the start of OTAs. The good news is that he attended Thursday’s practice session for the first time since tearing his ACL eight months ago.
He gave an injury update in March
During a press conference in March, Malcolm Koonce provided an injury update and explained why he re-signed with the Raiders. He expressed his trust and belief in the training and medical staff, who put him in a “good place” and “good position.” Koonce is ready to move forward and put the injury behind him.
“Trust the Raiders training staff over here, lifting staff, they’ve been putting me in a good place, in a good position,” Koonce said, via Michael France of Sports Illustrated. “And it was extremely frustrating. It’s like an overall feeling that you let people down, even though it’s something that you couldn’t help, but I’m happy that’s behind me and I can only look forward.”
