McClain not released by Raiders, for now

Originally published on SBReport.net on Nov. 30, 2012


The Oakland Raiders announced Friday that they have chosen to suspend middle linebacker Rolando McClain for two games for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Speculation arose that the team was set to cut the former Butkus Award winner when he was listed as a healthy scratch from practice on Wednesday and again on Thursday.

The decision to suspend him leaves open a possibility of holding on to the linebacker until the offseason when the team can try and trade him to get something in return as opposed to just releasing him with no compensation.

It is believed that Omar Gaither will take over McClain’s responsibilities while he remains off of the playing field. Gaither is a former fifth-round draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles out of the University of Tennessee. Gaither has accumulated 321 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in his seven seasons in the NFL.

The team has announced that McClain’s suspension from the team is set to end on the morning of Dec. 10.