Las Vegas Raiders begin the 2024 season as rookies like Ashton Jeanty report to camp, but star Christian Wilkins lands on the PUP list. A new era begins.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The long wait is over, Raider Nation. Football is officially back in Henderson as the team's rookies reported to the Intermountain Health Performance Center on Saturday, kicking off the much-anticipated Pete Carroll era. While photos of future stars like Ashton Jeanty and Jack Bech arriving brought a wave of excitement, the day also came with a significant dose of caution as the team placed star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
The new regime aims to end a staggering 22-year playoff win drought and restore glory to the Silver and Black.
The future of the franchise walked through the doors today. First-round pick RB Ashton Jeanty, widely expected to be a centerpiece of the new offense, led a promising group of rookies into camp. He was joined by second-round receiver Jack Bech and third-round corner Darien Porter, all of whom are projected to compete for immediate playing time. Social media was buzzing with official team posts featuring arrivals like CB Mello Dotson, giving fans their first glimpse of the 2025 draft class in team gear. The early consensus is that undrafted players like LB Cody Lindenberg and DE Jah Joyner also have a real shot at making the final 53-man roster, adding another layer of competition to watch.
Just as optimism reached its peak, the team announced that defensive tackle Christian Wilkins would begin training camp on the PUP list. While team sources stress the move is purely precautionary, it's a headline that grabs your attention. Wilkins is the anchor of the defensive line, and his health is paramount to the team's success. He can be activated at any time during camp, but his absence, however brief, puts an early spotlight on the team's defensive depth. For now, the Raiders are considered otherwise healthy, but Wilkins' status will be the most closely monitored story as camp unfolds.
This isn't just another training camp; it's the dawn of a new age. For the first time, Head Coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Spytek are at the helm, tasked with a monumental turnaround. After a dismal 4-13 season, the pressure is on to instill a winning culture and make the Raiders competitive again. Carroll's trademark energy and defensive philosophy are expected to reshape the team's identity. How he integrates this new rookie class with the established veterans, who are set to report on July 22, will be the defining narrative of the next few weeks.
For a fleeting moment, the Las Vegas Raiders sit atop the AFC West with a pristine 0-0 record. While it's a fun quirk of the preseason calendar, it's a reminder of the ultimate goal: winning the division for the first time since 2002. The journey to break that drought, and the even longer 22-year playoff win drought, starts with the foundation being laid at this training camp. Every practice, every drill, and every roster decision is a step toward ending years of frustration and returning to AFC contention.
The energy is palpable in Henderson as the new era officially gets underway. While the Wilkins news is a slight damper, the focus remains on the future and the infusion of young talent. All eyes will be on the practice field as the rookies get to work, and the anticipation will only build until the veterans report on July 22. The road to the August 7 preseason opener against Seattle starts now.
