Raiders' Masterson Could Return to More Impactful Role

Masterson's role has been somewhat diminished this season, but with Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo's health status for Las Vegas' Week 8 showdown with the Detroit Lions on Monday yet to be revealed, it could very well be Masterson whose number is called to fill the void.

Masterson replaced Deablo in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears when the third-year Raider left the game with an ankle injury.

“Luke, from the beginning when we met him last year, he's been working on his craft a ton, whether in the classroom or out there on the field," said the Raiders Defensive Coordinator when he addressed the media Tuesday. "He's always ready. The role that he has on special teams. 

"And we're just pleased with the way he works and how he tries to improve and then tries to make corrections to any mistakes that he makes. And he just does a good job of getting better each week and not being a repeat error guy. That's always a key thing.”

Masterson finished Sunday's contest against Chicago with five combined tackles and allowed two completions out of the four times he was targeted as a defender.

The 25-year-old linebacker has yet to start a game this season. Through the seven games he has appeared in, Masterson has recorded ten combined tackles and a pass defensed. He has taken the field for 142 special teams snaps and 86 defensive snaps.

The Raiders signed Masterson in May of 2022.

The Silver and Black will stay on the road to take on the Detroit Lions on Monday night, Oct. 30, at 8:15 p.m. EDT/5:15 p.m. PDT.