The Las Vegas Raiders entered the season with high expectations for their defense, but injuries have severely impacted their performance. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce was the first to suffer a significant injury, followed by safety Marcus Epps and linebacker Divine Deablo, among others.

Despite the challenges, the Raiders' coaching staff, led by Antonio Pierce, emphasizes the importance of tackling and developing talent among reserve players. However, missed tackles have contributed to their struggles, leading to disappointing outcomes in several games.