The Oakland Raiders announced that they activated linebacker Marquel Lee off injured reserve and waived wide receiver Trevor Davis.
The Raiders drafted Lee in the fifth round in 2017 and he appeared in three games (two starts) this season before going on IR with an ankle injury. In 32 total games with the team, he has 87 total tackles (52 solo) and three passes defensed.
It is no secret that the Raiders have lacked depth at linebacker this season due to a number of injuries and a season-long suspension to Vontaze Burfict, so Lee returning will hopefully aid that unit for the rest of the season.
Oakland acquired Davis in a trade with the Green Bay Packers earlier this season, giving up a 2020 sixth-round draft pick to get him. Davis was supposed to add the element of speed to the Raiders’ offense and special team units, but he largely struggled in his short time with the team.
In nine games with the Raiders, he only had seven receptions for 83 yards, adding four carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, while included a 60-yard run in his first game with the team.
Davis also served as the team’s primary kick returned but only averaged 21.6 yards per return, which is among the worst marks in the league.
His struggles culminated in the Week 13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs when he had a costly fumble on a kick return in the first half, and then failed to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-one jet sweep play when there was a hole for him to get the first down.
Jalen Richard took over kickoff return duties after Davis’ fumble, and will now likely remain in that role for the rest of the season.
