The Las Vegas Raiders re-signed defensive end Malcolm Koonce to a one-year contract Monday, giving the team another opportunity to evaluate the pass rusher as he continues his recovery from a major knee injury.

Koonce, who missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery, returns to a defensive front that includes Maxx Crosby. The move comes on the opening day of free agency, when the Raiders also added several players from other teams.

“Keep in mind, a C is considered average,” one team source said of the signing grade. “This is slightly above that mark.”

Koonce flashed his potential during the second half of the 2023 season, recording eight sacks over the final nine games. However, he has yet to replicate that production over a full campaign. The one-year deal allows both sides to assess his health and fit under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, who previously served as Koonce’s position coach.

“Koonce is fantastic in the locker room and has shown he is capable of playing at a very high level, but he’s still chasing that second half of 2023 before he was injured,” the source added.

The Raiders are betting on Koonce returning to form and earning a long-term contract with a healthy season.