Jeff

Heath

The veteran safety started five games for Las Vegas last year, leading the team with three interceptions — a testament to how truly abysmal Las Vegas’ defense is/was. He’s another bench option to soak up reps just in case 28-year-old P.J. Williams is forced to play corner due to Marshon Lattimore’s pending suspension. New Orleans’ bench remains a shaky one filled with subpar talent.

The Raiders just drafted safeties Trevon Moehrig and Tyree Gillespie in the first four rounds of the draft. They also spend a third-round selection on Divine Deablo, a safety/linebacker hybrid. With a wealth of young talent at the position, they simply didn’t have the roster space to hold onto Heath. The veteran safety started five games for Las Vegas last year and broke up five passes. Before joining the Raiders, Heath started 44 games at safety for Dallas from 2017 to 2019. He should have no problem landing a short-term deal with a team in need of some secondary depth.

Not the news the Raiders needed with Johnathan Abram (knee) questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts. Heath has been playing a ton of snaps out of necessity over the past few weeks. He will be eligible to return for the regular season finale in Week 17.

He’ll re-join Raiders special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia with former Cowboys teammates Maliek Collins and Jason Witten. Heath’s strength was always his ability to soak up snaps for Dallas as he started every game (48) he was available for in the last three seasons, logging 719 defensive snaps in each of those campaigns. He remains questionable for OTAs while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott are higher priorities, but the Cowboys are hoping to bring back Heath on a team-friendly deal. Heath missed three games with a shoulder injury last year and is recovering from offseason surgery. Even with the health risks, Heath won’t struggle for offers if he hits the open market.

Heath injured both his shoulders this season, so he may need another surgery. It’s possible this impacts his free-agent interest after appearing in just 13 games. With a new coaching staff and Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott, and Byron Jones all in line for extensions, it won’t be surprising if the Cowboys let Heath test the open market.

Leighton Vander Esch (neck) and Antwaun Woods (knee) are also out. Darian Thompson, who recorded six tackles and one pass breakup in his spot-start for Xavier Woods in Week 11, will take the field in Heath’s stead.

Dallas’ injury report for Thanksgiving is thin, seeing Leighton Vander Esch (neck, out), Antwaun Woods (knee, out), and Heath crop up as the only designations. Presumably at full health on offense, expect the Cowboys to score at will in a potential shootout at home against the Bills. Robert Foster (hamstring) is the only candidate potentially missing for Buffalo’s offense.

The Cowboys’ secondary will have a new look following the departures of Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox. While Heath is considered the favorite to succeed Church, he’ll face competition from Kavon Frazier and potentially a rookie if the Cowboys address safety in the draft. Heath has spent the majority of his career as a special teamer, though he does have four career interceptions.

It’s worth $1.6 million. Heath plays special teams for the Cowboys.