The Las Vegas Raiders are in deep trouble this season. After their ugly loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 10, they now sport a 2-7 record and are destined to miss the postseason. To make matters worse, Raiders quarterback Geno Smith suffered an injury during the game, forcing him to miss part of the loss.
Smith eventually returned to the game and was able to finish the contest. However, an ailing quarterback does not bode well for Las Vegas' chances this season. To make matters worse for the Raiders, offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson went down with an injury during the game as well. Head coach Pete Carroll would later confirm that Powers-Johnson would be out for some time with the injury.
“Raiders OL Jackson Powers-Johnson (ankle) is expected to be out for an extended period of time, head coach Pete Carroll said,” per Around The NFL on X.
The Raiders offensive line has been criticized heavily this season for its poor play. They've been singled out as a key reason why rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has had a slow start to the season. Aside from their struggles in the run game, the offensive line has not been good in protecting Smith in the backfield.
Powers-Johnson was one of the few standouts for the Raiders this season. According to PFF, the Raiders right guard graded out as the best at his position in Week 9, when Las Vegas faced the Jacksonville Jaguars. He allowed just one pressure in that game and has allowed two sacks throughout the 2025 season.
Without Powers-Johnson, guard Alex Cappa will likely take over as the Raiders' starting right guard. Signed by Las Vegas after he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals, Cappa has seen limited playing time with his new team. Capps has allowed 12 pressures and a sack while playing half the snaps Powers-Johnson has played this season.
