September 7th, 2020 at 6:35pm CST by Zachary Links
The Raiders have placed quarterback Marcus Mariota on injured reserve, per a club announcement. For added insurance, the club has added one-time Notre Dame star DeShone Kizer to the Raiders’ practice squad.
Mariota’s strained pectoral muscle will keep him out for at least three weeks, per the league’s modified rules for 2020. Without him, the Raiders are rolling with two QBs on the active roster – Derek Carr and Nathan Peterman. Mariota’s temporary absence may take a little bit of pressure off of Derek Carr, who has certainly heard the footsteps. Mariota, who was leapfrogged by Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee, finished the year with a career-low 59.4% completion rate and just 1,203 yards.
Kizer has been on the workout trail ever since he was cut by the club in May, but those tryouts didn’t land him a deal. Now, the 2017 second-round pick will stick around in Las Vegas as he waits for his next opportunity. Kizer, 24, has made 18 appearances over the course of his NFL career, most of which came during the Browns’ winless season. All in all, he’s got eleven touchdowns against 24 interceptions.
Here’s the full rundown of the Raiders’ practice squad after Monday’s move:
The Raiders are planning to release J.J. Nelson, but this is not to make room for Zay Jones. The team will retain its seven-wideout roster arrangement, with Field Yates of ESPN.com reporting (via Twitter) the team is bringing back recently cut pass catcher Marcell Ateman.
Oakland signed Nelson this offseason but has not seen much from the former Arizona deep threat. A vested veteran who will become a free agent, Nelson played in just two games and has four receptions for 36 yards this season. Nelson did score a touchdown in Week 3 against the Vikings, but he’s battled a leg injury in recent weeks.
Ateman went unclaimed on waivers earlier this week. The 2018 seventh-round pick played 28 snaps in the Raiders’ win over the Bears in London. He will return to a Raiders receiver room that still houses Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Keelan Doss, Dwayne Harris, Trevor Davis and Jones.
Nelson signed a one-year, $1MM deal as a free agent. He has not been especially productive since Bruce Arians’ departure from Arizona, having totaled 100 yards since the start of the 2018 season.