The 2020 NFL season is days away from starting and the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to fulfill league requirements. Knowing they need to get their roster trimmed to 53 players by Sept, 5th, they already started making some moves ahead of the deadline.
So much for Tyrell Williams…
Nobody should cherish when a player suffers an injury, but the fact wide receiver Tyrell Williams has not been able to stay healthy is disappointing. Raiders brass and fans alike are probably not happy with how things have played out since the veteran signed with the Silver and Black.
The Raiders just placed Williams on their Injury Reserve list, meaning his season is over before even started. We will talk about the ramifications of the veteran’s wide receiver’s injury on another post. Nevertheless, general manager Mike Mayock isn’t surely pleased the team hasn’t gotten a return on their 2019 investment. After giving Williams a four-year $44 million contract, the Raiders must be feeling buyers’ remorse.
Prince Amukamara’s release wasn’t shocking
How many of you knew the Raiders would part ways with Prince Amukamara? According to the Twitterverse, pretty much everyone was aware of it months before it actually happened. Truly, it wasn’t surprising, and the Silver and Black already knew what they had with him. His ceiling was limited, so they wanted to bet on their rookies’ potential. As solid as Amukamara is, he wasn’t going to make the Pro Bowl in his 10th NFL season. The organization has plenty of potential waiting under the wing and the veteran might’ve hindered their development.
The team’s brass decided it wasn’t worth it to let Amukamara take precious reps away from first-round cornerback Damon Arnette, whom he had been splitting time with during training camp. Moreover, the Raiders will have an easier time deciding whether they keep Isaiah Johnson or Keisean Nixon. Now that Amukamara isn’t longer with the team, the Silver and Black will roll with first and second-year players at the cornerback position.
Related: Raiders S Johnathan Abram Ready To Pick Up Where He Left Off Last Season
The Raiders are making moves to meet the roster deadline
Releasing Amukamara and placing Williams on IR were not the only transactions the Raiders made ahead of September 5th. They also sent offensive tackle David Sharpe to the Washington Football team in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Sharpe was the last of the team’s 2017’s draft picks still with the organization. Looking back, that was one of the worst drafts in recent Raiders history.
With David Sharpe going to the Washington Football Team, the #Raiders parted ways with their last pick from the 2017 draft class
G. Conley âŒ
O. Melifonwu âŒ
E. Vanderdoes âŒ
D. Sharpe âŒ
M. Lee âŒ
S. Luani âŒ
J. Ware âŒ
E. Hood âŒ
T. Hester ⌗ Maurice Moton (@MoeMoton) September 2, 2020
But wait, the Raiders weren’t done yet! They also released running back Rod Smith, offensive linemen Jordan Devey, and guard Jordan Roos via the team’s official website. Likewise, they parted ways with cornerback Nick Nelson and defensive end Sharif Finch. Other than maybe Smith, who could play on special teams, none of them were surprise cuts and did little to stand out in training camp.
The NFL season is around the corner and the Raiders are doing what they need to do in order to be ready. Can’t wait for their Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on Sept, 13th.
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Top Photo: John Locher/Associated Press