Theo

Riddick

One of the mid-aughts’ most impactful receiving backs, Riddick registered at least 50 receptions in four consecutive seasons from 2015-18 with the Lions, posting a career-high 80 (with 697 receiving yards) in 2015. He set career highs in carries (92) and yards (357) the following year in just 10 appearances. Although he closed his career in two short stints with the Broncos and Raiders, Riddick will always be remembered as a member of Detroit’s organization.

This leaves Trey Ragas and Garrett Groshek as the only pass-catching backs behind Kenyan Drake on the depth chart. Expect the duo to get extra work in that role as the Raiders have been entirely unwilling to use Josh Jacobs, a talented receiver out of the backfield at Alabama, in that role. Both backs were brought in as rookie UDFAs this year. Ragas and Groshek will be fighting for roster spots in training camp.

The move comes the same day the Raiders added Kenyan Drake. Riddick’s deal includes only $50,000 guaranteed, so he will be far from assured of maintaining his spot on the 53-man roster. Headed into his age-30 season, Riddick is a deep reserve/special teamer only at this stage of his career.

The Raiders have been placing players on the COVID-19 list more than just about every team in the league. Riddick will need multiple days of negative testing to be activated. Devontae Booker has filled in as Josh Jacobs’ passing-game sidekick.

Riddick being made inactive likely bodes well for Josh Jacobs’ health. Jacobs went into Week 9 dealing with a knee injury and gave up a surprising amount of carries to Devontae Booker. Not having Miller or RT Trent Brown among other injuries on the offensive line may have a negative effect on Jacobs but his path to RB1 status remains through volume.

Riddick spent 10 days in camp but couldn’t unseat Jalen Richard as the No. 2 back behind Josh Jacobs. The Raiders want to put Riddick onto the practice squad and let rookie Lynn Bowden be active on game days as the third back.

Riddick lands in Las Vegas after an unsuccessful stint in Denver. He fractured his shoulder shortly after joining the Broncos and never took the field. Riddick caught more than 50 passes for four consecutive seasons in Detroit before leaving in free agency. DeAndre Washington left the Raiders this spring, vacating 41 targets out of the backfield. The Buzz around Las Vegas camp has been that Josh Jacobs would take on a larger role as a receiving threat but the move to sign Riddick puts that in doubt. Riddick, 29 years old, is unlikely to hold any fantasy value of his own but he could prevent Jacobs from catching more passes in 2020.

The team will also let Devontae Booker walk following career-lows in carries (2) and targets (9) last year. Riddick initially joined the Broncos in training camp upon being released by Detroit but never saw the field after fracturing his shoulder shortly thereafter. With at least 53 catches in four consecutive seasons, Riddick is still more than capable as a viable third-down threat in a backfield committee.

He’ll be joined on I.R. by rookie quarterback Drew Lock, who is out indefinitely with a sprained thumb. Riddick joined the Broncos this summer after being shown the door in Detroit but hurt his shoulder only a few days into camp. He could eventually be cut loose with an injury settlement.

Riddick reportedly won’t need surgery. It’s a tough blow for the veteran receiving back, who joined the Broncos last week following a six-year stint in Detroit. Despite it being just a “slight” fracture, the injury will still cost Riddick a minimum of 2-4 regular season games. Devontae Booker’s once-slim roster odds are looking much better with Riddick on the shelf.