Reports: Oakland Raiders defensive tackle arrested

Originally published on SBReport.net on Feb. 24, 2013

ProFootballTalk.com has issued a report that Raiders defensive tackle Desmond Bryant was arrested Sunday morning on charges of "criminal mischief".

While details have not been released on the defensive tackle's arrest, it is poor timing on Bryant's to be arrested. Bryant is set to be a free agent when the new league year begins in March.

Bryant represents part of the Raiders defensive line that may be leaving in free agency. The Raiders have multiple players on defense that are available via free agency and need to find a way to keep Bryant as he is a strong building block on the defensive trench.

Bryant, who signed with the Raiders out of Harvard as an unsigned free agent in 2009, has been a solid piece to the Raiders defensive line having racked up 93 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 63 games played for the Raiders.

Bryant was an important piece for the Raiders while veteran Richard Seymour was out with a nagging hamstring injury for much of the 2012 season. With the Raiders voiding Seymour's contract, it could be important for the to find a way to sign their young Ivy League defensive tackle instead of letting him sign with another team.

With Seymour likely gone, and Tommy Kelly having a large salary cap hit, the Raiders need to find a way to keep Bryant even if it means breaking the bank. The potential he has shown over the past could of years has proved to the Raiders that they need to find a way to keep him.