Talk about an absolute gut punch to start the preseason grind: The Raiders officially placed cornerback Chigozie Anusiem on season-ending injured reserve Saturday, making an early statement about the team’s health challenges before the real games even begin. This is a tough break for a guy looking to carve out his role.
The Play That Ended Anusiem’s Season
The injury happened fast and it was brutal. Anusiem went down in the third quarter of Thursday night’s preseason game against the Texans. He was doing his job on the punt team when he got dragged down from behind, a moment that instantly sidelined him for good. You never want to see a guy go out like that, especially when they’re hustling on special teams.
What This Means for the Raiders
This move to season-ending IR stings, no doubt about it. Anusiem isn’t a household name, but he was a known quantity on special teams for the Raiders last season. He played 54 special teams snaps across three games, earning a spot on the active roster in Week 15. The man has appeared in four career games, primarily on special teams, and had stints with the Browns and Cardinals before landing in Vegas. His absence means the Raiders now have an immediate void to fill, especially in those critical special teams roles. Losing a dedicated special teamer this early in the preseason is never ideal, forcing the coaching staff to scramble and find new contributors right away. It’s an early test for the team’s depth, and definitely not the kind of news you want to hear as August winds down.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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