Sources: Ravens nixed trade for Crosby due to medical concerns

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders announced Tuesday that the Ravens have “backed out” of a trade agreement that would have sent All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby to Baltimore in exchange for two first-round picks.

No further details were provided in the Raiders’ announcement, but league sources told ESPN that the Ravens backed out because of medical concerns that arose during a physical. Trades are contingent on players passing the physical and aren’t official until the start of the new league year Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Ravens officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Raiders were set to meet Tuesday night to try to figure out their next steps, according to sources. For now, they are prepared to get Crosby healthy and have him play for Las Vegas, but they have received calls from several teams inquiring about his availability in a trade, a source said.

It is unclear whether a Crosby deal can be revived in some form, but having the Ravens trade nixed puts Las Vegas in a difficult situation due to all the money it has committed to outside free agents.

The Raiders were big spenders Monday. They used the most cap space in the NFL to agree to terms with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, one of the top free agents, on a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The Raiders also strengthened their defense by making deals with linebackers Quay Walker (3 years, $40.5 million) and Nakobe Dean (3 years, $36 million) and edge rusher Kwity Paye (3 years, $48 million) and agreeing to re-sign cornerback Eric Stokes (3 years, $30 million) and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce (1 year, $11 million).

Las Vegas also added Jalen Nailor (3 years, $35 million) to improve its wide receiver room.

According to a team source, the Raiders are open to potentially repackaging a Crosby trade. One team that will be a long shot, however, is the Dallas Cowboys, who are not expected to pursue Crosby a second time because it will be “hard to retrace” their recent acquisitions, including a trade for Rashan Gary, a source told ESPN.

On Friday, the Raiders had acquired the Ravens’ 14th overall pick in April’s draft and a first-round pick in 2027. The move would have ended Crosby’s seven-year career with the Raiders.

Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was aware that he needed surgery in the fall but continued to play until the team decided to shut him down for the final two games of last season, a decision that left Crosby frustrated.

Crosby’s agent issued a statement Tuesday saying the player was ahead of schedule in his recovery.

“Maxx continues to be on track in his recovery and if anything is ahead of schedule, according to his surgeon Dr. Neal El Attrache,” agent CJ LaBoy said in his statement on X. “Maxx remains on track to return during the offseason program & will undoubtedly return as the dominant game wrecker he has been these past 7 seasons.”

ElAttrache told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday morning that Crosby was “doing very well in the early part of his rehab and recovery from surgery to treat a significant meniscus tear and the related stress injury to the bone and cartilage in his knee. He is certainly on track in his planned program.”

“We truly respect the work of the Ravens staff with Maxx regarding the contract physical exam. We also understand the challenge the staff faces when tasked to provide a future risk assessment based on an evaluation early in the recovery process,” ElAttrache said. “This is especially challenging when dealing with an elite player like Maxx considering the level of commitment necessary for a team to obtain him. The timing of this assessment is unfortunate because the apparent risk will lessen as his recovery progresses and his return to performance over the next few months becomes clear.”

Crosby, eight weeks out from surgery, got off crutches last week.

He had posted a 13-minute video on his social media accounts Saturday, bidding farewell to Las Vegas and expressing his excitement for his new journey with the Ravens.

“I know there’s no guarantees in this,” Crosby said. “But I’m going to give everything in my heart and soul to bring a championship to Baltimore. There are no more words needed for that.”

He added: “I’m so excited. I cannot wait to get out to the city and meet everybody.”

He posted on Instagram on Tuesday that he was in Baltimore.

The Ravens have rescinded deals in the past because of issues with physicals.

In 1997, Baltimore backed out of a deal with Cowboys safety Brock Marion minutes before he was going to sign a contract because the team discovered a potential problem with his left shoulder. In 2018, Baltimore voided its four-year, $29 million agreement with wide receiver Ryan Grant after he failed a physical over an ankle injury. In 2020, the Ravens’ deal with Michael Brockers fell through after an independent doctor expressed concern over the defensive lineman’s left ankle.

The Ravens now need to address their pass rush, which was one of their biggest weaknesses. Baltimore had 30 sacks last season, which was tied for the second fewest in team history.

ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.