Raiders Hit with ‘Disastrous Problem’ After Crushing Loss to Bears
The Las Vegas Raiders could be facing a disastrous problem along the offensive line after head coach Pete Carroll hinted that veteran tackle Stone Forsythe would likely replace Kolton Miller, who is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain that can leave him out of the lineup for multiple weeks.
Carroll told reporters, “(Forsythe) would be the first choice but this is an opportunity for Charles to make a charge for it.”
Raiders Facing a Major Dilemma at Left Tackle
GettyLas Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Stone Forsythe.
The news is far from comforting. Fans might not know much about Forsythe, but he’s struggled mightily at left tackle in limited action throughout his career.
While the 6’8″ tackle has appeared in 53 games with 14 starts, his on-field performance has often been a liability, especially against elite pass rushers.
Forsythe is best known for his poor outing against the San Francisco 49ers last season, where his efforts remain as one of the worst single-game efforts by an offensive lineman in recent memory.
In that matchup, Forsythe gave up 11 pressures to Nick Bosa alone, and an eye-popping seven pressures in just 18 pass-blocking snaps during the first half, marking the most pressures allowed in one half by any lineman that season.
That level of inefficiency could be catastrophic for the Raiders. With Miller sidelined, Forsythe would be tasked with protecting Geno Smith’s blind side — a dangerous gamble considering the team’s upcoming matchups against ferocious pass rushers like Laiatu Latu, Jeffery Simmons, George Karlaftis, and Josh Hines-Allen.
Pete Carroll may value Forsythe’s experience, but the veteran’s track record doesn’t inspire confidence. If Forsythe’s pass-blocking woes resurface, Las Vegas could find itself in a world of trouble before the bye week even arrives.
Why the Raiders Should Turn to Charles Grant Instead of Stone Forsythe
If the Raiders want to set themselves up for long-term success, the smarter move would be to allow rookie tackle Charles Grant to start at left tackle.
Drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Grant represents the type of player both general manager John Spytek and Carroll envisioned when reshaping the Raiders’ culture this offseason.
According to The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, Las Vegas placed a heavy emphasis on character and fit when identifying prospects. Grant, standing 6’4″ and weighing 304 pounds, checked every box during the pre-draft process.
“He’s a man of high character,” said his college coach, Mike London. “I’m so proud of him, of what he’s done and what he’s still yet to do.”
Grant also impressed team officials during his top-30 visit, solidifying his reputation as a complete package. “A good athlete and a good person,” Spytek said. “He can really move his feet and run into space. (Offensive coordinator) Chip (Kelly) is super fired up about getting him in there. He fits the scheme great.”
Most importantly, Grant plays with a chip on his shoulder, something that could translate into on-field success. “I know what I can do,” Grant said. “I’ve just got to prove it to everybody.”
With Miller sidelined and Forsythe’s history of breakdowns in pass protection, now is the perfect opportunity to let Charles Grant prove himself.
Instead of risking a repeat of Stone Forsythe’s disastrous performances, Las Vegas should trust their rookie to hold down the fort and grow into a future cornerstone of the offensive line.
Oilers’ Knoblauch says Podkolzin ‘hopefully’ going to play last pre-season game
One of the more important players on the Edmonton Oilers roster is expected to return soon.
When speaking to the media after the team’s 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch gave an update on forward Vasily Podkolzin, who was granted a leave of absence last week after his father, Alexander, suddenly passed away last Tuesday.
Knoblauch stated that Podkolzin will be returning from Russia later this week.
“We’re expecting his flight to come back Tuesday night,” Knoblauch said. “So, we’re not going to get him in that Wednesday game. He’ll skate on Wednesday, skate on Thursday, and then hopefully, he can play that last exhibition game.”
That last preseason affair will see Edmonton pay a visit to the Canucks on Friday night. The team will get a few days off before beginning the 2025-26 regular season with the season premiere of The Battle of Alberta, hosting the Calgary Flames next Wednesday.
Podkolzin came to the Oilers last August, when he was acquired in a trade that sent a fourth-round pick to the Canucks just a few months after signing his latest contract, a deal with a $1 million cap hit. He was brought to Edmonton not long after the Oilers lost forward Dylan Holloway to the St. Louis Blues.
The news of Podkolzin’s father’s death came the day after he signed a three-year contract extension. The deal, set to kick in next season, will carry an AAV of $2.95 million through the 2028-29 campaign.
Podkolzin proved to be a solid player in Edmonton’s top 12. In 82 games, the first time he’s played a full NHL schedule, the Moscow native posted eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points. He scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points in the postseason as well, as the Oilers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, only to lose to the Florida Panthers for the second year in a row.
It was the 24-year-old’s first full season in the NHL since his rookie season with the Canucks in 2021-22, having split the previous two seasons with Vancouver and its American Hockey League affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
Across four seasons, Podkolzin has appeared in 219 NHL regular-season games, scoring 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points.
