The Las Vegas Raiders went into their Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns down six starters.
Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams were notable players out of action, with the Pro Bowl edge rusher missing the first game of his career due to an ankle injury. As for Adams, he suffered a hamstring injury in Thursday's practice that forced him to miss his first game since the 2021 season.
As the team embraced a "next man up" mentality, a few veterans spoke up in their team meeting Friday to bring extra confidence to their younger teammates. It's customary for a few leaders to speak up and get the team motivated heading into battle, but according to Tre Tucker, words spoken from Adam Butler hit a little different this week.
"He gave a story and it had something to do with, 'What are you willing to do for your brothers?'" Tucker recalled. "That kind of resonated with the whole team and that's the coaching we took this week. Obviously, with all the guys we had out, it just really made us become close."
In all three phases of the game, players maintained a "don't flinch, don't blink' mentality that Head Coach Antonio Pierce has instilled. The depth of the team showed up, coming up with the 20-16 victory over the Browns.
"Hats off to our coaching staff just getting those guys ready, prepared. And then obviously, give credit to the players stepping up," Pierce said following the win. "We put them in a lot of different roles. You saw that today. When you have that many young guys – first and second-year players, guys that strictly play special teams – step up and have an impact on the game to help us win, that's a building block for us going forward."
Of the young players that stepped up, receivers Tucker and DJ Turner made the most of their opportunities when called upon. Tucker, the second-year wideout, finished with five catches for 41 yards including a three-yard touchdown run on a reverse for the team's first score of the contest.
Turner, a 2021 UDFA from Pittsburgh, recorded the first touchdown of his NFL career. He took a jet sweep up the left side of the field for 18 yards, supplemented by a lead block from Tucker.
"That was big for me, just on some proud moment type stuff," Jakobi Meyers said of seeing his young teammates score. "I was really excited and they put a lot of work in on and off the field. Tre Tucker in [the gym] all the time, DJ fighting for every scrap that he gets. They deserve that and I hope they celebrate that."
Charles Snowden was the final piece to the puzzle to seal the game for the Raiders. The edge rusher, who started the season on the practice squad, made two big plays on the final drive of the game with a batted ball at the line of scrimmage and his first career sack on fourth down.
"It meant a lot. I can't even put into words what it meant to me," Snowden said. "All the emotions I was feeling, one of the biggest things I was feeling was gratitude to my coaches. The game on the line, to have me in there and make that call, trust me to go out there and make a play. The entire team counted on me, so to be able to reward them, that really meant a lot to me."
Snowden, as well as Tyree Wilson , Janarius Robinson and K'Lavon Chaisson, were asked to take on a larger roles with Crosby inactive. However, the defensive line decided to take a "do your job" approach instead of trying to do too much to compensate for Crosby's absence.
"We knew that not one of us was going to become Maxx Crosby overnight. We knew that would take the collective," Snowden said. "With his playmaking and his energy and his presence, Maxx is always getting guys going with his energy so we knew that we collectively had to do that.
"Just different guys taking steps forward, really all of us took a big step forward."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) and cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Burney (56) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) hands the ball off to running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) runs after making a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) celebrates after making a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) celebrates with teammates after making a 3-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a PAT during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 52-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) celebrates after kicking a 52-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (84) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 34-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) goes to kick a 34-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) kicks a 34-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66), kicker Daniel Carlson (2) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) and linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) runs after intercepting a pass during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders and fans celebrate an interception during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders and fans celebrate an interception during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) and guard Dylan Parham (66) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) rushes for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) rushes for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) rushes for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) rushes for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) celebrates with wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) after rushing for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) celebrates with teammates after rushing for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) celebrates with quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) after rushing for an 18-yard touchdown during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (45) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and safety Tre'von Moehrig (7) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69), defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) and defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (32) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Janarius Robinson (97) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (84) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) and punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders celebrate during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safeties coach Gerald Alexander in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and running back Zamir White (3) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (22) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
