The Oakland Raiders received some bad news earlier this week with starting left tackle Jared Veldheer requiring surgery in order to repair a torn triceps muscle.
Although Veldheer might be able to return after the first seven games of the season, the Raiders need to fill the void at left tackle as soon as possible.
According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, Alex Barron has an ideal opportunity to become the starter in the meantime:
Veldheer’s injury gives Alex Barron, a former first-round pick by the St. Louis Rams who has not played a game in the NFL since 2010, a shot at a starting role.
With Barron not having played a game in the NFL since 2010 with the St. Louis Rams, the veteran offensive lineman is ready to for the opportunity to become a starter in Oakland via Williamson:
“Of course, it’s an opportunity,” Barron said Wednesday. “First and foremost, it’s an opportunity to be here, period. It’s another opportunity, obviously, to go up on the chart and help the team as best I can.”
With Khalif Barnes taking over as the starting right tackle, the Raiders have limited options on the left and will have to roll the dice with Barron for the time being.
Barron played for the Rams from 2005 to 2009 and then was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in May of 2010. After one season with the Cowboys, Barron signed with the New Orleans Saints, but missed the entire 2011 season while on the injured reserve due to a knee injury.
In 2012, Barron signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but was released last August and missed an entire season for the second straight year.
