Cal alum joins the crowd in backfield
The Raiders are adding a Bay Area native to their already crowded backfield.
Running back C.J. Anderson, a Richmond native who played at Bethel-Vallejo and Cal, is signing as a free agent with the Raiders, a source confirmed Tuesday.
Anderson, 27, spent his first five NFL seasons with the Broncos and set career highs in rushing attempts (245) and rushing yards (1,007) last season. Denver, though, released Anderson in April.
Anderson signed with the Panthers in May and appeared in nine games but had just 24 carries for 104 yards before being released Nov. 12.
According to reports, Anderson worked out for the Chiefs on Monday, along with Charcandrick West, as candidates to replace released running back Kareem Hunt. Kansas City signed West, but Anderson impressed in his workout, according to NFL Network.
With the Raiders, Anderson joins a backfield that includes Doug Martin, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington. Martin has been the lead back since Marshawn Lynch’s injury in Week 6. Richard has carved out a role as a thirddown and primary receiving back. Head coach Jon Gruden also has talked about wanting to get Washington more snaps.
It remains to be seen, then, how the Raiders will use Anderson, who in six NFL seasons has averaged 4.4 yards per carry while gaining 3,155 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns. Anderson won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in the 2015 season and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 2014 season, when he had 179 carries for 849 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.