Raiders announce additional roster moves

Originally published on SBReport.net on Sept. 1, 2012

Just a day after the Raiders cut their team down to the required 53-man roster, general manager Reggie McKenzie and the Raiders front office made six more roster moves.

The Raiders announced on Saturday the signings of defensive back Phillip Adams, linebacker Keenan Clayton and offensive tackle Willie Smith. The Raiders also waived cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Bryan McCann, and also waived/injured defensive tackle Jamie Cumbie. 

Adams was San Francisco's seventh-round selection in the 2010 draft and has played in 22 games in two seasons with San Francisco, New England and Seattle. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound defensive back attended South Carolina State.

Clayton is a 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker that has played in 21 games, while starting one, with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the fourth-round of the draft out of the University of Oklahoma in 2010. Clayton was used as an outside linebacker with the Eagles after being fourth on the Sooners team with 75 tackles during his Senior year at Oklahoma. He originally was slotted as a strong safety his freshman year at Oklahoma, but moved to the linebacker position in 2008. 

Smith signed with the Washington Redskins last season as an un-drafted free agent and found himself appearing in four games and starting three for the squad. Smith will provide solid depth for a relatively thin offensive line in Oakland. 

There is no surprise that McKenzie was looking for lineman, cornerbacks and linebackers that may improve his team as they are three of the thinnest positions on the field. 

Chekwa was originally on the bubble to make the roster after showing little development after the late Al Davis drafted him in the fourth round last year. McCann had a solid last preseason game in an effort to make the team but had little impact on the team besides as a return man. The retaining of Coye Francies made his release easier. Cumbie had a solid preseason game against the Detroit Lions but missed time in camp due to injury. Fellow defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi beat him out and earned the spot. 

The Raiders also announced that they have signed linebackers Kaelin Burnett and Nathan Stupar, wide receivers Travionte Session and Brandon Carswell to their practice squad for this season. Teams are allowed to have eight players on their practice squads.