Raiders announce signing of veteran pass rusher

Originally published on SBReport.net on Sept. 26, 2012

The Raiders announced on Wednesday the signing of veteran defensive end Andre Carter. 

Carter, listed at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, originally tried out for the Raiders at their Napa training camp facility in August but the Raiders ultimately passed on the free agent. 

Reports surfaced during training camp that Carter was missing the explosiveness he had shown before a leg injury forced him to the injured reserve towards the end of the 2011 season. Carter had played in 110 consecutive games before being placed on the injured reserve on Dec. 20, 2011 with a leg injury. 

The 12-year veteran has played for the San Francisco 49er's, Washington Redskins and, most recently, the New England Patriots. Carter recorded 10 sacks with the Patriots last season in 14 games, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. 

The veteran pass rusher has recorded 10 or more sacks in a season four times during his career. Carter's career-high is 12.5 sacks for the 49er's in the 2002 season. 

A Bay Area-native, Carter attended Oak Grove High School in San Jose before playing ball at Cal, where he finished as Cal's all-time leader with 31 sacks. 

Carter has played in 163 games, starting 147 of them, while recording 76 sacks, 23 passes defended, 17 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. The 76 sacks recorded is good for eighth among active NFL players. 

The Raiders also officially announced the signing of wide receiver Tori Gurley after reports surfaced of the signing last night due to a tweet by Gurley: http://www.sbreport.net/raider_news/008/9814.html

To make room for Carter and Gurley, general manager Reggie McKenzie waived offensive lineman Joe Barksdale. Barksdale was the Raiders third-round draft pick last season and was thought to be in competition for the starting right-tackle position at the beginning of training camp. Khalif Barnes quickly asserted himself as the starting right tacklee and it became clear that Barksdale fell out of favor when newly-acquired tackle Willie Smith started for the injured Barnes as opposed to Barksdale.