Ex-giants CB Rodgers-cromartie signs
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Weeks of scouring free agency for a veteran cornerback culminated Wednesday with the Raiders signing 32-year-old Dominique Rodgers-cromartie.
His deal, expected to carry a oneyear length, adds experience in the secondary.
He joins a crowd where Rashaan Melvin, Gareon Conley, Daryl Worley, Leon Hall and rookie fourthround pick Nick Nelson are among those competing.
Shareece Wright has been in that mix, too, but a hamstring injury in Saturday’s exhibition versus the Los Angeles Rams produced a setback.
Rodgers-cromartie, a two-time
Pro Bowler, spent the past four seasons with the New York Giants. He’s started 120 of 153 career games with 543 tackles and 30 interceptions, including six returned for a touchdown. The team’s interest in him was first reported weeks ago.
At cornerback, Conley could be the Raiders’ only returner from 2017 who makes their 53-man roster. He played two games and fewer than 100 snaps last season due to a shin injury.
Vanderdoes still on mend
Eddie Vanderdoes’ return appears to be later rather than sooner.
The Raiders 2017 third-round draft pick tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers in the final game of the season Dec. 31. Vanderdoes has been on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from the injury and his status likely won’t change to begin the regular season, according to Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
“It’s getting to look that way,” Gruden said while addressing the media Wednesday. “I mean, I don’t want to say right now, but he’s had no offseason work and hasn’t had one day of practice yet. He’s getting better, but it’s been a slow process.”
Vanderdoes played in every game during his rookie season. He recorded 18 tackles in those 16 games at defensive tackle.
Starters to see more action
The Raiders play the Green Bay Packers in Oakland on Friday in what is most likely the starters’ final appearance before the regular season.
“We’re going to play the starters on offense, I believe, into the second quarter,” Gruden said. “We’re not going to play them a whole lot, but they will get some time. Hopefully they have some success. Defensively, it’ll be about the same.”
None of the offensive starters played in last week’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders will face the Rams in their season-opener Sept. 10.
Notable
Placekicker Eddy Piniero
(groin) and running back Deandre Washington (knee) are among those that missed practice.
Former Cincinnati Bengals safety George Iloka signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday. The Raiders expressed heavy interest in the veteran but eventually pulled away from discussions Monday evening potentially because of financial factors.
Defensive end Khalil Mack entered day 27 of his contract holdout. Gruden had no new updates.
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