Después de tener la mejor campaña de su carrera en el 2023 con marcas personales en capturas de mariscal de campo (8), tacleadas para pérdida de yardaje (9) y tacleadas (43), para Malcolm Koonce el 2024 fue un año difícil física, emocional y mentalmente.
La semana en la que los Raiders estaban por hacer su debut en la campaña regular frente a los Cargadores, Koonce sufrió una lesión de rodilla para la cual fue requerido fuese sometido a cirugía, quedando descartado para ver acción en toda la temporada 2024. Con el inicio de las actividades organizadas por el equipo para los Malosos, el ala defensiva egresado de la Universidad de Buffalo continúa su recuperación en el cuartel general del equipo por separado de sus compañeros, incluyendo trabajo en la piscina.
"Ha sido un proceso, pero sabía que eventualmente estaría sano de nuevo", dijo Koonce sobre el punto en el que se encuentra actualmente. "Voy a comenzar a correr, pronto estaré jugando al fútbol americano. No es como si tuviera una baja de ánimos, porque sabía que con el tiempo todo se calmaría y esto quedará en el pasado".
El contrato de novato de Malcolm Koonce llegó a su final con el inicio del nuevo año de la NFL, convirtiéndose en agente libre por primera vez en su carrera. Pero su prioridad era continuar portando los colores negro y plata, para aprovechar la continuidad que tiene al seguir del lado defensivo del staff de coacheo Patrick Graham como coordinador y Rob Leonard como entrenador de linea defensiva, ademas de multiples jugadores como Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, entre otros.
"Definitivamente se siente genial", aseguró Koonce sobre la oportunidad de trabajar con Graham por cuarto año seguido y con Leonard por tercera temporada consecutiva. "Se siente genial la comodidad, estar rodeado de entrenadores o jugadores que te conocen, saben cuáles son tus puntos fuertes y saben cómo usarte. Esa es una de las razones por las que volví".
Al momento, Koonce sigue enfocado en estar al 100% físicamente para volver a los emparrillados y tanto él, como sus compañeros de equipo y entrenadores están listos para tenerlo de nueva cuenta con la oportunidad de dar el siguiente paso en su carrera.
View photos from day three of the Las Vegas Raiders' OTAs at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Mello Dotson (35) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jonathan Sutherland (40) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Michael Barrett (43) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (33) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and defensive assistant/linebackers coach Ty McKenzie at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jailin Walker (57) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Michael Barrett (43) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive quality control coach Kyle Fuller at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) and safety Trey Taylor (37) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Hudson Clark (38) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jonathan Sutherland (40) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard and defensive end Jahfari Harvey (75) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jonathan Sutherland (40) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Chris Smith II (29) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Matt Jones (42) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center/guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) at an Organized Team Activity (OTA) at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
