Maxx Crosby's Raiders future questioned as Cowboys emerge as potential trade partner image
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty left Sunday’s practice after landing awkwardly while diving for a pass, creating concern around one of Las Vegas’ biggest offensive pieces. The latest reporting points toward a sprained ankle rather than a long-term injury, but uncertainty around his timeline has already opened a much bigger conversation involving Maxx Crosby.
Crosby’s name resurfaced in Cowboys trade speculation after longtime Dallas writer Clarence Hill Jr. connected Jeanty’s injury to a possible roster reset. The idea is not tied to reported negotiations, and there is currently no credible indication of active trade talks. Instead, it revives an old storyline involving Dallas, Las Vegas and one of football’s premier edge rushers.
Maxx Crosby trade talk returns after Ashton Jeanty injury scare
The speculation gained traction because Jeanty’s injury briefly made Las Vegas’ roster outlook look far different. He had been expected to remain central to Klint Kubiak’s offense after producing 975 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie. Later reporting described a sprained ankle that is not expected to be long-term, with his return timeline still unclear.
That uncertainty prompted Hill Jr. to revive Crosby’s name in a hypothetical Cowboys scenario. “With Jeanty hurt, the Raiders might as well trade Maxx Crosby to the Dallas Cowboys now and work on getting Jeremiah Smith at the top of the draft”, Hill Jr. wrote. The post is speculation, not evidence of an actual deal.
Jeanty’s initial injury scene made the discussion easier to understand. He could not put weight on his right leg and needed help from trainers before teammates gathered and prayed. Later reports from ESPN and NFL Network pointed toward a sprained ankle, giving the Raiders a more reassuring outlook than the initial scene suggested. Crosby’s value and previous trade history explain why his name can quickly re-enter the conversation. Sporting News reported that Crosby remains with Las Vegas after an offseason trade with Baltimore fell through, while the Cowboys speculation in this story comes from Hill Jr.’s post rather than evidence of current negotiations.
Raiders face bigger questions around offense beyond Jeanty’s timeline
Las Vegas still has options if Jeanty misses time. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. could receive increased responsibility after impressing during camp. The Raiders also have other backs available, giving Kubiak flexibility while the team waits for a clearer injury timetable. The quarterback picture adds another layer, with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza competing for roles in Kubiak’s offense. Jeremiah Smith remains a hypothetical 2027 target in the supplied material, not a confirmed Raiders plan.
For now, Jeanty’s ankle is the immediate issue. Crosby remains with Las Vegas, while Cowboys trade speculation exists only as an outside proposal. Until either team provides something concrete, the trade angle should be treated as conversation rather than confirmed news.
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