While much of the focus in training camp has surrounded on Khalil Mack’s holdout, the Oakland Raiders were left facing another financial dilemma that has since been addressed.
With little cap space to spare, the Raiders approached veteran tackle Donald Penn about taking a pay cut last week. His future remained up in the air, with speculation that Oakland may look to trade or cut him as an effort to free up additional payroll space.
Pondering such a scenario will no longer be necessary, as Penn reportedly agreed to terms on a small pay reduction for the 2018-19 NFL season, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:
The #Raiders and LT Donald Penn have agreed to terms on a small pay cut, ensuring he remains on the team, I’m told. Penn should be healthy soon and will help that O-line.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 14, 2018
In freeing up additional salary, the Raiders now have extra ammo in potentially hammering out a mega extension with Mack. The team has also been liked to a few veteran cornerbacks still on the market, and could look to bring one in depending on the health of Gareon Conley and Daryl Worley.
As Rapoport notes, Penn has progressed well in his recovery from offseason foot surgery. He was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday and participated in his first practice since suffering a Lisfranc fracture in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys last December.
With a healthy Penn now back in the fold, the Raiders’ offensive line corps once again stands as one of the team’s greatest strengths.
Interestingly enough, reports on Tuesday indicated that Penn received the majority of his reps at right tackle while the rookie Kolton Miller remained on the left side.
