Raiders Sign Running Back James Butler, Waive Chris Warren III
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders announced that they have signed running back James Butler and waived Chris Warren III as a corresponding move.

Butler is familiar with the Raiders organization as he spent most of last season on their practice squad after going undrafted out of Iowa. Butler was also with the team during this year’s offseason program after signing as a reserve/future free agent this past January, so he is obviously someone that they have kept an eye on this summer.

In his first and only season at Iowa in 2017, Butler rushed for 396 yards and one touchdown on 91 carries. Before transferring to Iowa, he played three seasons at Nevada where he had a very successful career.

Warren is another young running back that impressed for the Raiders organization last preseason when he led the entire NFL in rushing. He will not get a similar opportunity with Oakland this year though.

Running back is a position of uncertainty for the Raiders going into this season. They signed veteran Isaiah Crowell, although he tore his Achilles during offseason workouts and is expected to miss the entire year.

The Raiders drafted Josh Jacobs in the first round and he is expected to be the team’s starter, although head coach Jon Gruden recently said he is going to have to earn his playing time.

Doug Martin, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington will all be competing for time in the backfield as well.