Raiders shuffle defensive line
Ellis, Hall injured; Calhoun waived as two free agents sign
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Nose tackle Justin Ellis will go on injured reserve with a foot strain, a source said Wednesday. His campaign is not considered over, as the Raiders plan to activate him midseason.
Defensive lineman P.J. Hall, a rookie second-round pick, has an ankle sprain. Both were injured in Monday’s season opener against the Rams.
Some relief has arrived. Free agent Johnathan Hankins, who on Wednesday had a locker and a nameplate with the No. 90 on it, and Clinton Mcdonald have joined the team’s defensive line.
Hankins reportedly signed a oneyear deal; Mcdonald’s agent said on Twitter Wednesday that his client agreed to terms.
To free roster space, the Raiders waived defensive end Shilique Calhoun in addition to putting Ellis on IR.
Ellis likely will resume practice when first eligible in six weeks. He must practice a minimum of two weeks before he can be re-activated. Each NFL team can activate up to two players from injured reserve each season.
Hall wore a protective boot on his left foot Wednesday. An X-ray Tuesday revealed no fracture, he said.
“I’ve been rehabbing a lot,” Hall said. “I’m starting to move better, walk around on it. It’s getting pretty good now. … I haven’t really had any ankle injuries, but I’m just working through it, trying to make sure I can get back to the field as soon as possible.”
Hankins, 26, is considered one of the game’s better interior run stoppers. He’s been a free agent since the Indianapolis Colts released him in March.
As a free agent, Mcdonald visited the Raiders in March. He signed with Denver and was released Sept. 1. The Raiders will face Denver on Sunday.
Miller likes Miller
The greatest test of Kolton Miller’s young career awaits Sunday. It appears he’ll enter the matchup with some respect.
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller addressed reporters Wednesday in a conference call and praised the rookie left tackle.
Von Miller called the offensive lineman a “beast.”
“He was the best tackle in this year’s draft,” Miller said. “I’ve always said the Raiders have the best offensive line in football. They made it a whole lot better with the Miller kid.”
Notable
Von Miller said he was “shocked” the Raiders traded defensive end Khalil Mack this month. “I always felt like Khalil and Aaron Donald were untradeable guys,” Miller said. “J.J. Watt. I thought guys like that were untradeable. Then they traded him. A guy like Khalil, he only comes around once every lifetime. You want to keep guys like that. I’m a player, but I’m sure the Raiders ownership had a great reason to make the decisions that they made. But you want to try to keep a guy like Khalil and have him play with your organization for a long time.”
Ellis and Hall were the only Raiders not to practice. Running back Deandre Washington (knee) worked for the first time in a few weeks, but he was one of seven who was limited. The others were running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder), punter Johnny Townsend (right quad), wide receiver Brandon Lafell (back), center Rodney Hudson (ankle), guard Gabe Jackson (pec), wide receiver Dwayne Harris (foot) and defensive tackle Brian Price (hamstring).
The Raiders signed rookie Trent Sieg as their long snapper. He replaces Andrew Depaola (knee), who was placed on injured reserve.
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.