The Las Vegas Raiders were forced to make a number of roster cuts on Saturday in order to get down to 53 active players ahead of their Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers.
In addition to their cuts, the Raiders also had the surprise move of the day by trading rookie Lynn Bowden Jr. to the Miami Dolphins. Bowden was just drafted in the third round this year although reports indicate he did not have a good training camp, leading to him being dealt for future draft capital before playing a single game with the team.
While it is unfortunate that the Raiders had to cut so many talented players, it is important to remember that practice squads were increased to 13 players this year, so many will likely be back. Here are the players that were among the Raiders’ final cuts, via Tashan Reed of The Athletic:
#Raiders waived the following players: Marcell Ateman, Nick Bowers, Lester Cotton Sr., Keelan Doss, Madre Harper, Dylan Mabin, Mike Panasuik, Justin Phillips, De'Mornay Pierson-El, Kamaal Seymour and Javin White. https://t.co/Hlfmfz1i3g
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 5, 2020
The #Raiders released the following players: Kyle Emanuel, Datone Jones, Theo Riddick, Chris Smith, Kyle Wilber and Sam Young. Young is surprising. He was the first-team right tackle for most of the time Trent Brown was out.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 5, 2020
The #Raiders placed guard Eric Kush on the reserve/injured list. They also placed Nevin Lawson, who's suspended for the Week 1 game, on the reserve/suspended list.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 5, 2020
Perhaps the most notable of the bunch was linebacker Javin White, who the Raiders signed as an undrafted free agent out of UNLV. All reports indicated that White had a good camp, but with the team recently trading for an experienced linebacker in Raekwon McMillan, they didn’t have room on the roster for him. The hope is that White will stick around as a member of the practice squad, however.
The Raiders also made the decision to cut two recent signees in veteran defensive lineman Datone Jones and running back Theo Riddick. Both players have a ton of NFL experience, so it is hard to imagine them accepting a job on the practice squad, although with all the uncertainty this season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it is certainly something for them to consider.
It looks like Jones was willing to accept that role:
didn’t make the 53 but made the practice squad. I’m more motivated than ever. God is working through me
— Datone Jones (@IAM_Dat_One) September 5, 2020
Devontae Booker was among those to make the roster over Riddick, earning the final running back spot behind Josh Jacobs and Jalen Richard.
