After the Oakland Raiders placed left tackle Jared Veldheer on IR-recall list on Saturday, the team signed veteran offensive tackle Matt McCants off the practice squad according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com:
The Raiders signed offensive tackle Matt McCants off their practice squad Saturday and placed left tackle Jared Veldheer on the reserve/injured-designated to return list in the corresponding roster move.
The offensive line in Oakland is an absolute mess heading into the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Veldheer’s torn triceps injury was just the beginning of the team’s struggles to stay healthy on the offensive line; especially at the left tackle position.
With arguably one of the team’s best players out for a considerable amount of time, the coaching staff has been forced to go with unproven players up front to protect the quarterback. The best option at left tackle, other than Veldheer, has been rookie Menelik Watson. Unfortunately, Watson tweaked his knee in practice last week and has been ruled out for Week 1.
In the meantime, head coach Dennis Allen and company will go with Khalif Barnes at the position with Matt McCants prepared to backup him. A difficult position to say the least for the coaching staff in Oakland, but an uncorrectable situation with limited options moving forward.
McCants was drafted by the New York Giants back in 2012 in the sixth round. The UAB alum failed to play a single game for the Giants last season after being cut and placed on the practice squad in New York. McCants was recently cut once again by the Giants last week and then picked up by the Raiders to join the practice squad.
