Raiders Trim Roster To 53
Here is how Antonio Pierce‘s first Raiders effort moved down to 53:
Released:
- CB Cornell Armstrong
- WR Alex Bachman
- TE Zach Gentry
- WR Jalen Guyton
- QB Nathan Peterman
- WR Kristian Wilkerson
Waived:
- DE David Agoha
- G Clark Barrington
- QB Carter Bradley
- G Ben Brown
- RB Brittain Brown
- DT Matthew Butler
- WR Terrell Bynum
- T Andrew Coker
- TE Cole Fotheringham
- DE T.J. Franklin
- CB Woo Governor
- S Jaydon Grant
- WR Tulu Griffin
- DT Marquan McCall
- RB Sincere McCormick
- T Jalen McKenzie
- WR Dax Milne
- LB Jackson Mitchell
- C Will Putnam
- S Phalen Sanford
- DT Noah Shannon
- TE John Samuel Shenker
- CB Ja’Quan Sheppard
- DE Charles Snowden
- T Dalton Wagner
- CB Sam Webb
- LB DaShaun White
- CB Rayshad Williams
Waived/injured:
- OL Corey Luciano
- DE Elerson Smith
- DE Ron Stone Jr.
Placed on IR/return designation:
Waived/failed physical:
Peterman’s exit leaves two quarterbacks — the two that vied for the starting gig (Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell) — on their 53-man roster. Peterman, however, has been quite resilient in his career. The Bears dropped him last year only to circle back via a practice squad invite. The eighth-year passer also has an extensive past with the Raiders, who rostered him for much of Jon Gruden‘s tenure. Teams have six practice squad slots they can use on vested veterans.
Guyton followed GM Tom Telesco from the Chargers. The ACL tear he suffered early during the 2022 season sidetracked his career, with the former Justin Herbert deep threat — who totaled 959 yards from 2020-21 — catching just 12 passes over the past two seasons. The Raiders kept rookie UDFA Ramel Keyton and third-year UDFA Tyreik McAllister among their six-man receiving corps. Four of the six wideouts on the Raiders’ roster are ex-UDFAs, with only Davante Adams and Tre Tucker being drafted.
The Raiders are using one of their injury activations on Taylor, who arrived via seventh-round pick this year. Elsewhere in the secondary, Webb is off the roster after having previously worked as a three-game starter. This came during Josh McDaniels‘ only full season in charge.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/8/24
Many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts, allowing organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
- WR Andre Baccellia, OL Jackson Barton, WR Kaden Davis, OL Marquis Hayes, RB Tony Jones, TE Bernhard Seikovits, WR Jeff Smith, CB Quavian White
Atlanta Falcons
- OL Barry Wesley
Carolina Panthers
- RB Mike Boone, RB Spencer Brown, WR Jalen Camp, RB Tarik Cohen, CB Lamar Jackson, TE Jordan Matthews, CB AJ Parker, TE Chris Pierce, WR Cam Sims, OT Badara Traore, DE Raequan Williams
Chicago Bears
- LB Micah Baskerville, TE Stephen Carlson, OL Jerome Carvin, DB Adrian Colbert, OL Aviante Collins, DL Michael Dwumfour, DL Daniel Hardy, OL Roy Mbaeteka, OL Bill Murray, WR Nsimba Webster
Cincinnati Bengals
- DT Domenique Davis, CB Allan George, C Nate Gilliam, DE Jeff Gunter, LB Shaka Heyward, WR Shedrick Jackson, G Jaxson Kirkland, WR Kwamie Lassiter II, WR Kendric Pryor
Denver Broncos
- RB Tyler Badie, QB Ben DiNucci, OT Demontrey Jacobs, S Devon Key, CB Reese Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, WR Tyrie Cleveland, S Marcel Dabo, WR Ethan Fernea, G Arlington Hambright, TE Jordan Murray, RB Zavier Scott, TE Eric Tomlinson
Las Vegas Raiders
- DE David Agoha, CB Cornell Armstrong, QB Anthony Brown, OT D.J. Fluker, TE Cole Fotheringham, S Jaydon Grant, DT Marquan McCall, RB Sincere McCormick, OT Jalen McKenzie, TE John Samuel Shenker, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, DE Elerson Smith, DE Charles Snowden, CB Sam Webb, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Minnesota Vikings
- LB Abraham Beauplan, G Henry Byrd, OT Coy Cronk, WR N’Keal Harry, WR Trishton Jackson, RB DeWayne McBride, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas, CB Jaylin Williams, CB Joejuan Williams, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas
New England Patriots
- DE William Bradley-King, LB Joe Giles-Harris, DB Azizi Hearn, DT Trysten Hill, WR T.J. Luther, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
- DT Ryder Anderson, OT Yodny Cajuste, DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, RB Deon Jackson, LB Dyontae Johnson, LB Jeremiah Martin, G Jalen Mayfield, OL Joshua Miles, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
New York Jets
- OL Obinna Eze, OL Vitaliy Gurman, CB Tae Hayes, DL Manny Jones, RB Jacques Patrick, K Austin Seibert, DL Marquiss Spencer, WR Malik Taylor
Seattle Seahawks
- LB Levi Bell, NT Matthew Gotel, RB Bryant Koback, TE Tyler Mabry, S Jonathan Sutherland, WR Cody White, WR Easop Winston Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- CB Shyheim Carter, DB Tay Gowan, WR Tre’Shaun Harrison, TE Thomas Odukoya, LB Thomas Rush, G Lachavious Simmons
Washington Commanders
- LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, WR Davion Davis, CB D’Angelo Mandell
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/23
Practice squad moves from today:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Amani Oruwariye
- Released: TE Derek Parish
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR DJ Turner, CB Sam Webb
- Placed on practice squad IR: T Sebastian Gutierrez, TE Noah Togiai
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB Lew Nichols
- Released: RB Bryant Koback
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Abdullah Anderson
- Released: DE William Bradley-King
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/23
Wednesday’s minor NFL transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: CB Sam Webb
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Detroit Lions
- Designated to return from IR: CB Khalil Dorsey
Houston Texans
- Designated to return from IR: WR Noah Brown
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: G Ike Boettger
Denver releases Humphrey with the intention of adding him back to the team’s practice squad, filling the spot vacated by wide receiver Michael Bandy yesterday. Plus, with young tight end Greg Dulcich expected to return from injured reserve soon, releasing Humphrey opens up a spot on the active roster.
The Colts’ offensive line has been dealing with a couple injuries, so bringing in Boettger will help improve the line’s depth a bit. Boettger, a former undrafted free agent, spent the first five years of his career in Buffalo. He spent much of that time as a backup but did start 17 games in a two-year stretch from 2020-2022. Veteran starting experience is usually an asset worth having on the bench.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/14/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off Raiders practice squad: CB Sam Webb
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: WR Britain Covey, P Arryn Siposs
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: DT Cameron Heyward (story)
- Promoted: WR Dez Fitzpatrick
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed off Raiders practice squad: G McClendon Curtis
- Signed off Buccaneers practice squad: OT Raiqwon O’Neal
With Jaycee Horn being placed on IR, the Panthers added some cornerback depth by snagging Sam Webb of the Raiders practice squad. The former UDFA got into all 17 games for Las Vegas in 2022, finishing with 36 tackles. He was cut by the Raiders at the end of the preseason before landing back on their practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/13/23
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed (off Raiders’ practice squad): CB Sam Webb
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
- Placed on IR: S Caden Sterns (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Michael Dogbe
- Promoted from practice squad: P Ty Zentner
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Suspended to begin 2024 season: TE Leonard Taylor
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on non-football illness list: QB Stetson Bennett
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Lynn Bowden Jr., DE Kyle Phillips
- Placed on IR: DE Payton Turner (story)
Taylor was placed on IR by the Jaguars in July, guaranteeing that he would not see the field during the 2023 campaign. He has also been suspended for the first two games of next season, though, PHNX’s Howard Balzer notes. The 24-year-old has yet to see regular season NFL game action in his career.
Bennett has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but the NFI designation is used for injuries (or, in this case, illnesses) which arise separate from football-related activities. When asked for specifics about the fourth-round rookie’s circumstances, head coach Sean McVay said, via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, “out of respect for him and the situation, I’m going to leave all of those specifics and particulars in-house” (subscription required). The Rams will move forward with Matthew Stafford as their starter under center, and Brett Rypien available as an option to be elevated from the practice squad.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.
Denver Broncos
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Tyler Badie, WR Michael Bandy, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Phillip Dorsett (story), CB Art Green, OLB Marcus Haynes, T Demontrey Jacobs, S Devon Key, DL PJ Mustipher, DT Haggai Chisom Ndubusi, G William Sherman, WR David Sills
Kansas City Chiefs
Claimed:
- DB Darius Rush
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Ekow Boye-Doe, S Deon Bush, TE Matt Bushman, LB Cole Christiansen, DT Matt Dickerson, T Chukwuebuka Godrick, DE Truman Jones, T Darrian Kinnard, QB Chris Oladokun, RB La’Mical Perine, WR Cornell Powell, RB Deneric Prince, C Austin Reiter, DT Danny Shelton, CB Reese Taylor, DT Chris Williams
Las Vegas Raiders
Placed on IR:
- WR Chris Lacy
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- DE David Agoha, DL Matthew Butler, G McClendon Curtis, TE Cole Fotheringham, S Jaydon Grant, CB Tyler Hall, LB Kana’i Mauga, RB Sincere McCormick, G Netane Muti, DE Isaac Rochell, WR Devin Ross, TE John Samuel Shenker, CB Sam Webb, WR Antoine Wesley
Los Angeles Chargers
Claimed:
- LB Tanner Muse
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- OLB Brevin Allen, T Zack Bailey, WR Terrell Bynum, DL Jerrod Clark, DL Christian Covington, WR Keelan Doss, QB Max Duggan, OLB Andrew Farmer, CB Matt Hankins, TE Hunter Kampmoyer, DL C.J. Okoye, OL Austen Pleasants
Reverted to IR:
- WR Darrius Shepherd, CB Amechi Uzodinma, LB Blake Lynch, WR Milton Wright
Released from IR via injury settlement:
Raiders Reduce Roster To 53 Players
The Raiders cut down their roster to 53 players today. However, in the process, they were forced to move on from a handful of veterans:
Released:
- G Alex Bars
- WR Keelan Cole Sr.
- WR Phillip Dorsett II
- C Hroniss Grasu
- S Jaquan Johnson
- DE Isaac Rochell
- CB Duke Shelley
- WR Cam Sims
- RB Damien Williams
- DE Jordan Willis
Waived:
- DE David Agoha
- DT Matthew Butler
- G McClendon Curtis
- TE Cole Fotheringham
- S Jaydon Grant
- CB Tyler Hall
- CB Azizi Hearn
- LB Kana’i Mauga
- RB Sincere McCormick
- G Netane Muti
- DE Adam Plant
- TE John Samuel Shenker
- DE George Tarlas
- LB Drake Thomas
- CB Sam Webb
Placed on IR:
- OT Dalton Wagner
The Raiders signed Jaquan Johnson early during free agency, and there was hope he’d provide some experienced depth to their secondary. Ultimately, the team decided to go in another direction, but that doesn’t mean the safety won’t quickly find another gig elsewhere. Johnson got into 60 games for the Bills over the past four years, including a 2022 campaign where he finished with a career-high 32 tackles and one interception.
On the other side of the ball, the organization moved on from some notable offensive weapons. Keelan Cole Sr. got into 14 games for the Raiders last season, collecting 10 receptions for 141 yards. Phillip Dorsett II joined Las Vegas this offseason after spending the 2022 campaign with the Texans, where he hauled in 20 catches. Damien Williams has close to 500 touches in the NFL, although he only got into one game for the lowly Falcons last season.
Raiders Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents
The Raiders rookie class grew significantly today, as the organization announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents:
- LB Darien Butler, Arizona State
- S Qwynnterrio Cole, Louisville
- CB Bryce Cosby, Ball State
- TE Cole Fotheringham, Utah
- QB Chase Garbers, California
- WR Justin Hall, Ball State
- LB Luke Masterson, Wake Forest
- RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA
- CB Malkelm Morrison, Army
- OT Bamidele Olaseni, Utah
- S Isaiah Pola-Mao, USC
- DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
- WR Tré Turner, Virginia Tech
- DE Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa
- CB Sam Webb, Missouri Western State
Tagovailoa-Amosa got a significant chunk of money from the Raiders, earning $207K in guaranteed money (including a $197K base salary guarantee), per ProFootballFocus.com’s Doug Kyed on Twitter. The cousin of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, the Notre Dame defensive end had a standout season in 2021, collecting six tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Another notable NFL-family connection is Pola-Mao, who is the nephew of Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu. During his time at USC, Pola-Mao collected 178 tackles, five interceptions, and four fumble recoveries.
Olaseni grew up in London, England and didn’t start playing football until the age of 17 thanks to the British American Football Association. He played collegiate ball at Utah, where he earned All-Pac-12 Second Team honors.