Robert Spillane Playing Through Broken Hand

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane has played the last two games with a broken hand. Spillane hasn't missed a beat, even with the injury.

The Las Vegas Raiders signed linebacker Robert Spillane partly because of his durability. While with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Spillane played many plays when called upon. 

Through nine games in Las Vegas, Spillane has played 98 percent of the team's defensive snaps. Incredible by any measure, even more so when considering he's had been playing through a broken hand for the last two weeks.

"Yeah, lunch pail, hard hat, broke his hand early in the game against the [Detroit] Lions," Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce said. "He never flinched, didn't miss a snap, taped it up, kept going. The next day, he came in, had surgery, got casted up, went out there, and played every snap. That's the mentality you want.

"You've got your superstars, you've got the guys who get all the credit, then you got guys like this, the lunch pail guys who just come to work every day and do it with a smile.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Robert Spillane has played with a broken hand for two weeks / © David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

"He's been like that since day one. I remember the first time we talked over the phone when we signed him; instantly, I could feel his fire in his belly.    

"But what he's done for us is the mental part. He's been really good for (Defensive Coordinator) Patrick Graham, our linebacker corps and our defense, because he does a lot of things pre- and post-snap that help us."

Against the Detroit Lions, Spillane accounted for eight tackles in the game in which he broke his hand. 

"It happened early in the game on Monday Night Football," Spillane said. "I originally thought I had dislocated my fingers, later, to find out after the game, that I had broken bones. Once we got that taken care of, we were good going forward."

Then, Spillane led the Raiders in tackles against the New York Giants with nine, and Spillane says his hand injury is not one of his most painful injuries.

"No, I would not say it was up there with the hardest injuries I've had to play through. Playing with a cast presents certain challenges, especially being a linebacker who uses his hands so frequently. It was challenging, but pain-wise, but I've had more painful injuries."

Spillane has been exactly what the Raiders need at the middle linebacker position. His toughness and durability continue to be on full display. 

The Silver and Black will remain at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 8:20 p.m. EST/5:20 p.m. PST.

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