Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Coons, who injured his knee before the season opener, will miss the entire season, two people with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Raiders have not announced that Koonse will be out for the season. The club placed Koonse on injured reserve before the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, meaning he would miss at least the first four games.
Koonse will soon undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, one of the people said.
Koonce played especially well in the second half of last season, when he recorded his first eight career sacks on Nov. 5 against the New York Giants. That has come in six of the past four games.
Charles Snowden, who was signed to the active roster after Coons’ injury, started both games at the plate and had two tackles.
Defensive end Tyree Wilson, who injured his knee in the game against the Chargers, will play in Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers, coach Antonio Pierce confirmed Friday.
