After losing weight, Hankins impresses
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins made a big impression on Raiders coaches by reporting to camp a little smaller.
On Tuesday, head coach Jon Gruden said Hankins “might be the most improved player on our team” from last season.
Hankins, whom the Raiders resigned to a twoyear deal this spring, said his improvement was largely conditioningrelated. He said he played last season around 330 pounds and reported to camp this year around 318. It’s not a wide margin but appears to have made a difference.
“Last year, I didn’t have (organized team activities) or training camp,” Hankins said. “So I really just took advantage of that, didn’t really take it for granted and accepted the challenge Gruden and (general manager) Mike Mayock had for me to come in in better shape.”
Hankins, a 2013 secondround pick by the Giants, was released by the Colts in March 2018 and didn’t sign with the Raiders until Week 2. He started 14 games and played the secondmost snaps among their defensive linemen (56%), recording 36 tackles without a sack.
“What I told Hank this spring is, ‘Don’t let people just tell you you’re a big guy, you’re a nose guard. Be a big guy that can move,’ ” firstyear defensive line coach Brentson Buckner said. “He got himself in physical shape and he’s showing a lot of quickness and explosion.”
Hankins has been working with the firstteam base defense and staying on the field in the nickel front. Big maybe: Specialteams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said it’s likely receiver Antonio Brown will take reps as a punt returner in camp.
“I think when Antonio comes back to practice, we’re going to get him back catching and put him in a situation where hopefully he’s in a backup role or, who knows, there could be two guys back there together,” Bisaccia said.
Brown did not practice Thursday and has yet to participate in a full camp practice because of an undisclosed injury. Receiver Dwayne Harris returned punts for the Raiders last season and had a 99yard return for a touchdown in Week 16 against Denver.
“A lot of different things can happen,” Bisaccia said. “I know (Brown) didn’t return last year. I’ve played against him when he was the return guy. He’s certainly capable of doing that, but our intention is certainly to use him on offense and have a guy return and him possibly be the backup.” Roster moves: The Raiders claimed receiver Jordan Lasley off waivers from the Ravens. Lasley, a fifthround pick in 2018, was inactive for every game last season and was involved in a minor fight in Ravens camp this week. The Raiders also signed undrafted defensive tackle Anthony Rush and waived receiver Brian Burt.