The Raiders trimmed their 53-man roster on Saturday afternoon, a collection that will change somewhat with a waiver claim for quarterback Deshone Kizer, free-agent signings and possible trades in coming days.
The Raiders are also allowed to start forming a 10-man practice squad on Sunday. They already have a few guys in the mix after key Raiders cut passed through waivers unclaimed.
Bookmark this page for news and analysis on each player signed to the unit.
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SIGN UP HERE DT Anthony Rush
The big interior defensive lineman and preseason fan favorite passed through waivers and will join the Raiders practice squad, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
He had an excellent preseason, with most tackles as run stops near the line of scrimmage. General manager Mike Mayock said he was just too raw for inclusion on the 53-man roster, but the Raiders will have a chance to develop him on the practice squad.
It’s certainly possible he could be on the 53-man roster before the season’s out, like so many of them over the course of 16 games.
NFL
OG Lester Cotton
The Alabama product had solid moments on the interior line, but wasn’t really in the mix for one of the 53-man roster spot despite Richie Incognito being suspended two games and Gabe Jackson out for the first four or five games at least. Cotton was signed to the practice squad, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area. He can grow into a quality guard prospect in time, with the size and strength to compete at this level.
WR Marcell Ateman
Last year’s seventh-round draft pick has signed with the practice squad, per The Athletic. Ateman spent the start of last year on this unit, before getting promoted with seven games to go last season. He had a productive preseason, and he’s a big-bodied receiver the Raiders don’t have outside Tyrell Williams. He could be on the squad at some point this season, and provide valuable backup to a position group that maybe in flux before the season opener.
DE Quinton Bell
The Raiders hoped to get this year’s seventh-round draft pick to the practice squad. They were able to do exactly that, a source said. The raw edge rusher has gained weight and flashed great speed and athleticism, but is extremely raw and needs at least a year and a full offseason to have a better chance at contributing to an NFL team. There’s tons of potential. It just needs to be extracted.
WR Rico Gafford
The lightning-quick receiver will return to the Raiders practice squad, per source, where he spent most of last season. He stood out several times this preseason, dusting coverage en route to big plays. He can play some defensive back as well, making him excellent on a practice squad with the ability to contribute after a promotion to the big squad.
CB Dylan Maybin
The undrafted cover man had some solid moments this preseason, and earned a chance to continue developing within the Raiders system as a member of the practice squad, a source said.
TE Eric Saubert
The Raiders signed the tight end to the practice squad, per the Athletic, after spending his preseason with the Patriots. He was a fifth-round draft pick by Atlanta in 2017.