Edgerton

Hartwell

Is it time to hang up the spikes when you’re cut for a backup punter? Glenn Pakulak was signed to cover for Shane Lechler who is out for a week.

Hartwell, 30, hasn’t been right since tearing his Achilles’ tendon in 2005. He gives the Raiders a veteran backup for middle linebacker Kirk Morrison and may eventually push Robert Thomas and Sam Williams on the strong side.

The SF Chronicle suggests MLB Kirk Morrison could switch to the strong side, which would be an extremely questionable move. Morrison is Oakland’s best linebacker and Hartwell couldn’t even make the Bengals last summer. We wouldn’t take this too seriously. Hartwell will probably end up at the SAM.

It appears his Achilles is healthy enough for Hartwell to play. Whether he has his explosiveness back right away is another question.

Hartwell, still recovering from an Achilles tear, remains questionable for training camp.

That would leave LBs Demorrio Williams and Michael Boley starting on the outside, with LB Jordan Beck backing them up. When Hartwell went down last season, the Brooking-Williams-Boley trio started 11 times.

It’s surprising - Hartwell is one of the most underrated and productive linebackers in the league. He’s been second on the team in tackles to Ray Lewis the last two years.

The Falcons also lost rookie Jordan Beck at middle linebacker earlier this season and have struggled in rush defense. Ike Reese took over in the middle on Sunday, although the team could move Keith Brooking to his former decision.

Hartwell signed a six-year deal worth $26 million this offseason and had been disappointing before the injury.

It appeared that he broke his foot. Hartwell had been a disappointment since coming from the Ravens. Ike Reese and rookie Michael Boley could take over in the middle. The news won’t be official until tomorrow.