Breaking news: Raiders without big piece Sunday at Chargers, plus 2 rookies out as well

Starting pass-rusher Malcolm Koonce won’t play

The Las Vegas Raiders were expected to be mostly healthy for Sunday’s season-opening game at the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium (1:05 p.m. PT Kickoff), but that changed Thursday afternoon.

Friday, Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce announced starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce will not play because of a knee injury he sustained in practice Thursday.

It is not known how long Koonce will be out. There has been some talk that the Raiders are being cautious, especially since the SoFi turf has played havoc with knees in the past.

Either Janarius Robinson or 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson will start opposite Las Vegas star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby against a strong Chargers’ defensive front. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Raiders bring up defensive end Charles Snowden from the practice squad for the game since Robison and Wilson are the only backups behind Crosby and Koonce.

Pierce expressed confidence in both Robinson and Wilson, even though both don’t have much NFL experience.

Koonce has become a big part of the Raiders’ defense. The fourth-year player, who may be in line for a contract extension as he is a free agent after the season, had eight of his 10 career sacks last season. All of his last season came in the final game games when he was a terror on the field.

UPDATE:

The Raiders released their injury report Friday afternoon and joining Koonce as players not playing Sunday are rookies, second-round pick guard Jackson Johnson-Powers (he is ill) and cornerback, fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson (hamstring). They were both expected to be backups in the game. With Richardson out, the Raiders’ thin depth at cornerback is taking another hit. Frist-round pick, tight end Brock Bowers is off the injury report and he will play. He was dealing with a foot injury

They could elevate MJ Devonshire or Sam Webb from the practice squad.

For the Chargers, starting receiver DJ Chark is out and cornerback Asante Samuel is questionable. As expected, quarterback Justin Herbert is not on the final injury report. He was dealing with plantar fasciitis.