Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. missed the final two games of the 2015 regular season due to a neck injury and was placed on injured reserve. Now, more than a month after the injury, Edwards' future status with the team remains unclear as Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said that the injury may have been something that he was born with or had prior to arriving in Oakland, according to Eddie Paskal of the Raiders' team website.
"I guess anything is a possibility, but I'm going to let the doctors fill me in on stuff like that," said McKenzie via the Raiders' website. "I think the reason it's taking time is more that he was probably born with, or has had, so it's not like something that happened. It's something that you can call it genetic or whatever, but he's had this since his youth, so they're just trying to figure out what is the prognosis after some time goes by. He's playing the sitting and waiting game, just like us."
The Raiders general manger didn't want to speculate on Edwards' long-term health, but the news is clearly a blow for the Raiders organization. Edwards, a second round draft pick last season, was an impact rookie on the field with 42 combined tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles.
The Raiders defensive line lost a leader this off-season when defensive end Justin Tuck decided to retire after 11 seasons. Tuck was placed on injured reserve after five games as he suffered a torn pectoral early in the season. The Raiders front office will hope that Edwards is able to make a full recovery this off-season as his addition makes the Silver and Black's defensive front one to fear in the NFL.
Defensive end Khalil Mack had a breakout season this year, and many think he has progressed to become one of the elite pass rushers in the game. The Raiders clearly showed improvement under first-year head coach Jack Del Rio, and will look to contend for the postseason in the AFC West next season.
