Nick Roach

Raiders Release Nick Roach

The Raiders announced (on Twitter) that they have released linebacker Nick Roach and safety Usama Young with failed physical designations.

Roach suffered a concussion during the preseason and didn’t see the field in 2014. Last month, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that he was still having headaches and wasn’t expected to return in 2015. The 29-year-old (30 in June) played every defensive snap for Oakland in 2013 but it sounds like it will be a while, if ever, before we see him back on the gridiron. Roach briefly returned to practice in September of 2014 but never made it back into live action after the unfortunate incident against the Packers in preseason.

Young signed a two-year contract with the Raiders in the offseason but his season ended in late October when he tore both his ACL and MCL and was placed on IR. A frequent contributor on special teams, Young had taken on a more significant role on defense in 2014, starting three of the club’s first six contests. Young was a starter for the Browns before joining up with Oakland in 2013.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

We’re already tracking today’s practice squad signings and cuts in one post, but we’ll dedicate this space to following Wednesday’s minor moves relating to 53-man roster around the NFL. Here’s the latest:

  • After working him out earlier this week, the Raiders have signed linebacker Jamar Chaney, the team announced today in a press release. To make room on the roster for the incoming linebacker, Oakland placed linebacker Nick Roach on the injured reserve list. Roach suffered a concussion during the preseason and hasn’t been able to return to the field in the seven weeks since the injury.
  • As expected, the Seahawks have added some depth at center to provide some insurance for Max Unger, who sustained a foot injury on Monday. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets that offensive lineman Patrick Lewis is the newest addition to the roster, replacing cornerback Josh Thomas, who has been cut.

Earlier updates:

  • The Bears have filled the opening on their active roster by signing rookie safety Shamiel Gary to a one-year contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Gary, who signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent and spent camp and the preseason with the team, worked out for Chicago multiple times in September.
  • As part of a series of roster moves, the Redskins signed cornerback Greg Ducre to their 53-man roster from off the Chargers’ practice squad, according to the club (via Twitter). The other moves announced by the team today were previously reported.