Bryant signs deal to rejoin Raiders
Wide receiver Martavis Bryant returned to the Raiders on Tuesday, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
Bryant signed a one-year contract and could play as soon as Sunday against the Broncos.
Bryant, 26, told ESPN that he was pleased to be back, saying he was “thankful for the opportunity to take care of his family.”
The Raiders released the fifth-year player, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Steelers, when the roster was trimmed to 53 players.
Upon Bryant’s release, coach Jon Gruden and general manager Reggie McKenzie said it was for “competitive” reasons and not because of a looming yearlong drug suspension for violation of the league policy on substance abuse.
Raiders receivers were virtual no-shows in Monday night’s 33-13 seasonopening home loss to the Rams. Amari Cooper caught one pass for nine yards, while Jordy Nelson caught three for 23 yards. The Falcons placed Deion Jones on injured reserve after the linebacker suffered a foot injury during Thursday night’s 18-12 loss to the Eagles.
He’s set to have surgery, but is expected to return this season.
Jones was named to the Pro Bowl last season and has played in 32 games since the Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2016 draft. He has 253 career tackles, including 14 for a loss, seven interceptions, 23 passes defensed and one forced fum- ble. His seven interceptions are the most by a linebacker in the league since 2016.
Jones is the second key player on the Falcons defense to be sidelined. Starting safety Keanu Neal will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee Thursday.
The Panthers will be without three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen and right tackle Daryl Williams for the foreseeable future.
Olsen re-fractured the right foot that kept him out of nine games last season in the Panthers’ 16-8 win over the Cowboys on Sunday. He will not have surgery and will be re-evaluated on a “monthly basis” with the hope he returns this season.
Williams suffered an undisclosed knee injury and will need surgery. He likely will end up on injured reserve.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be limited early in the practice week because of a right elbow issue.
Tomlin said it was just “bumps and bruises” from a play during the Steelers’ 23-23 overtime tie with the Browns on Sunday, and that the team would know more Wednesday.
Guard David DeCastro also will be limited after fracturing one of his hands.
The Seahawks likely will be without WRDoug Baldwin, who injured the MCL in his right knee during Sunday’s loss to the Broncos. Navy grad and former Ravens receiver Keenan Reynolds was called up to the Seahawks’ active roster.