The Oakland Raiders announced on Tuesday that they have signed running back Rod Smith while also waiving safety D.J. Swearinger, linebacker Preston Brown and defensive tackle Terrell McClain.
Additionally, Oakland placed tight end Foster Moreau on injured reserve, marking an end to his rookie season. That move did not come as much of a surprise after he suffered a knee injury in Week 14 and Jon Gruden revealed that it was not minor.
Smith gives the Raiders some running back depth as Josh Jacobs continues to deal with a shoulder injury. Smith was originally an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State and has spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys and Tennessee Titans.
In 52 career games, Smith has 101 carries for 364 yards and five touchdowns, also adding 20 receptions for 272 yards and a touchdown. He is expected to wear No. 34 for the Raiders and could be on the field as soon as this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars if Jacobs is unable to go.
Swearinger and Brown are two veterans that were recently brought in to improve the defense, but that has not been the case as that unit has recently struggled the last three weeks. Gruden said earlier this week that changes will be coming on that side of the ball, and it appears these are the first moves to address that.
The Raiders’ active roster now sits at only 50 players, so there likely will be more moves to come this week.
