Who did the Raiders cut to get to the initial 53-man roster? There was a surprise
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing players before the NFL’s mandated initial 53-man roster Tuesday afternoon.
On Sunday, the Raiders announced they have waived DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo, QB Chase Garbers, CB Ike Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, G Vitaliy Gurman and RB Darwin Thompson.
The Raiders also waived/injured WR Chris Lacy and placed RB Brittain Brown, TE Jacob Hollister and WR Isaiah Zuber on the reserve/injured list.
On Tuesday, the Raiders waived DE David Agoha, DT Matthew Butler, G Curtis McClendon, TE Cole Fotheringham, S Jaydon Grant, CB Tyler Hall, CB Azizi Hewarn, LB Kana’ Mauga, RB Sincere McCormick, G Netane Muti, DE Adam Plant, TE John Samuel Shenker, DE George Tarlas, LB Drake Thomas and CB Sam Webb.
With star RB Josh Jacobs back, the Raiders released RB Damien Williams, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the Raiders released WR Philip Dorsett. Rapoport followed with the Raiders releasing WR Keelan Cole.
Both players could end up on the Raiders’ practice squad.
Later, the Raiders officially announced they have released G Alex Bars, WR Keelan Cole Sr., WR Philip Dorsett II, C Hronis Grasu, S Jaquan Johnson, DE Isaac Rochell, CB Duke Shelley, WR Cam Sims, RB Damien Williams, DE Jordan Willis.
Las Vegas placed T Dalton Wagner on the reserve/injured list.
The Raiders’ roster is listed at 54 players because Jacobs has a roster exemption.
Raiders’ roster as of 5 p.m.
QB (3): Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell, Brian Hoyer
RB (4): Josh Jacobs, Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden, Zamir White
FB (1): Jakob Johnson
TE (3): Austin Hooper, Jesper Horsted, Michael Mayer
WR (6): Davante Adams, DeAndre Carter, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Renfrow, Tre Tucker, Kristian Wilkerson
C (1): Andre James
G (3): Jordan Meredith, Dylan Parham, Greg Van Roten
G/T (1): Jermaine Eluemunor
T (3): Justin Herron, Kolton Miller, Thayer Munford Jr.
DE (4): Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, Tyree Wilson, Malcolm Koonce
DT (6): Adam Butler, John Jenkins, Bilal Nichols, Nesta Jade Silvera, Jerry Tillery, Byron Young
LB (5): Curtis Bolton, Amari Burney, Divine Deablo, Luke Masterson, Robert Spillane
S (5): Marcus Epps, Tre’von Moehrig, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II, Roderic Teamer
CB (6): Marcus Peters, Nate Hobbs, Jakorian Bennett, Brandon Facyson, David Long Jr., Amik Robertson
K (1): Daniel Carlson
P (1): A.J. Cole
LS (1): Jacob Bobenmoyer
Thomas a surprise cut
Fans wanted the Raiders to see Thomas on the initial 53-man roster because he opened eyes in training camp and preseason games.
The Raiders, however, made a tough call to waive Thomas. He was the team’s leading tackler in back-to-back preseason games.
Las Vegas signed Thomas to an undrafted free agent contract out of N.C. State.
The Raiders hope that the rookie clears waivers so he can put on the team’s 16-man practice squad.
Trade with rival Chiefs
Another surprise.
The Raiders traded defensive tackle Neil Farrell to the Kansas City Chiefs for a sixth-round NFL draft pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Farrell was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
He had 12 tackles in nine games played last season.
Nesta Jade Silvera makes initial roster
Rookie defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera announced that he’s made the roster.
“God you know my destiny cuz you gave me this gift!,” he wrote.
The Raiders signed Silvera to an undrafted free agent contract.
Muti to practice squad
Muti, a former Fresno State standout, was among the cuts.
Unless Muti is picked up by another team, it’s expected he’ll be on the Raiders’ practice squad.
On Wednesday, a source told The Bee Muti re-signed with the Raiders and will be on the practice squad.
Practice squad taking shape
The Raiders began signing players to the practice besides Muti.
A source said CB Tyler Hall will re-sign and be put on the practice squad.
Others:
WR Antoine Wesley (Tom Pelissero, NFL Network)
G McClendon Curtis
DE Isaac Rochell
RB Sincere McCormick
C Hroniss Grasu
DE David Agoha
TE Cole Fotheringham
S Jaydon Grant
LB Kana’i Mauga
CB Sam Webb
DT Matthew Butler
LB Isaac Darkangelo
G Vitaliy Gurman
DE Janarius Robinson
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the Raiders signed WR Marquez Callaway to the practice squad.
Callaway was cut by the Denver Broncos this week. Earlier Wednesday, the Broncos signed WR Philip Dorsett, who was released on Tuesday by the Raiders.
The Raiders and Broncos open the season Sept. 10.
WR Devin Ross was released. He had signed to the Raiders’ practice squad on Wednesday.
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 10:05 AM.
