The Las Vegas Raiders made a smart decision at the defensive end Takk McKinley several weeks ago, but in the end it didn’t work for the team.
On Wednesday, Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the pass-rusher would not be able to play on Sunday at the Denver Broncos final of the season. A few weeks ago, the Raiders began the process of recovering McKinley from a groin injury, but he is simply not ready to play.
It’s been quite a journey for the former first-round pick since the Atlanta Falcons dismissed him last month. He was claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and the Raiders. He was awarded the Bengals based on them having the worst record of the claiming teams. However, McKinley failed in his physique and was dismissed again. The other three teams claimed it again and the 49ers were rewarded with the Bay Area native. Still, he failed physically as well.
The Raiders and Browns claimed McKinley again and he went to the Raiders, who put him in the wounded reserve. Gruden said he hoped McKinley was ready to play this season, but that never happened. Therefore, Raiders are at risk from ending McKinley’s 2020 salary.
McKinley will be a free agent this offseason. Perhaps the Raiders have an advantage in hiring him again, as he spent time with them. But the fact that he was so popular in resignations is likely to lead McKinley to test the open free agency market to raise its price.
In addition, Gruden said that defensive side David Irving, who is on the training team, will also not play on Sunday. He played two games with the Raiders.