Report: Las Vegas Raiders release DT Christian Wilkins

The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. His designation is ‘terminated vested veteran.’

Shefter revealed that the Raiders voided the $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on his contract last month. Wilkins signed a a 4-year, $110 million deal with the Raiders last offseason — $57.5 million of which was set to be fully guaranteed. On Thursday, Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFLPA.

They voided the rest of his guaranteed money due to how he rehabbed the season-ending injury to his left foot. It occurred during Week 5 of the 2024 season and required surgery. This move comes less than a week after the Raiders placed Wilkins on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

This designation didn’t seem damning at the time, as players on the PUP list can return to the field at any time during training camp and the preseason. If he was still on it by the time the regular season rolls around, he would have to miss at least four games

However, if they are still on the PUP list after the 53-man roster deadline, they must miss at least four games before being eligible to return.

“Every day he’s here early, working hard, but we’re still working,” Raiders head oach Pete Carroll said of Wilkins in May, via the team’s website. “He’s not ready to get back out. We’re in the midst of a long, challenging process. Fortunately, there’s a lot of time, and we’re going to take every bit of it.

“We’ve really tried to be really diligent in the way we’ve worked it and the way we’ve wanted it and all that, and he’s been on board the whole time. But it has been challenging.”

Wilkins was the 13th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and played his college ball at Clemson, where he helped the Tigers win two national championships. He’ll now be a free agent ahead of the 2025 season.

During six seasons so far in the NFL, Wilkins has compiled 372 total tackles, including 22.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, five fumbe recoveries and an interception.

The Raiders will have to move forward with their season without Wilkins. They kick the 2025 NFL season off against the New England Patriots on the road on Sept. 7. Kickoff is slated for a 1 p.m. ET start time and will air live on CBS.