Incognito could fill center role

Add to Richie Incognito’s job description with the Raiders: emergency center.

With starter Rodney Hudson and backup Andre James both dealing with ankle injuries, Incognito, the left guard, worked at center at practice Wednesday along with newly signed Erik Magnuson.

Hudson injured his ankle in the first quarter Sunday at Houston. James replaced Hudson but was unable to practice Wednesday as the Raiders began preparations for Sunday’s game against the Lions.

If necessary, head coach Jon Gruden said, Incognito could slide to center with Denzelle Good at left guard.

“Incognito can be the center,” Gruden said Wednesday. “He’s a great player.”

Incognito said the last time he played center was in 2010 in an emergency situation with Miami but he finds it “fun to accept a new challenge.”

“Center’s a lot more cerebral,” Incognito said. “You’re trying to be clear with the points so that everybody else can get lined up. At guard, you’re kind of just waiting for the center to make the point and be physical running off the ball. At center, you’ve got a lot more going on presnap.”

After Hudson’s injury, Incognito said he practiced a few shotgun snaps on the sideline with backup quarterback Mike Glennon.

“It’s something that is kind of second nature to me,” Incognito said. “I’ll hold down the position until one of these guys comes back.”

Magnuson, signed Wednesday from the Bills’ practice squad, played tackle, guard and center with the 49ers from 2017 through ’18, appearing in eight games with three starts. He said he spent Tuesday traveling and began learning the Raiders’ system Wednesday morning.

“It’s a lot of information,” Magnuson said. “But it’s pretty similar to offenses I’ve run in the past, both with the 49ers and at Michigan. I’m picking things up.”

Roster moves: Along with Magnuson, the Raiders signed linebacker Will Compton and defensive tackle Terrell McClain. The Raiders waived linebacker Dakota Allen and released defensive end Kasim Edebali and defensive tackle Corey Liuget.

Liuget, in his ninth NFL season, was signed Aug. 25 but appeared in just three games with three tackles. Gruden said Liuget had “some lingering bouts with his health.” McClain, 31, has played in 89 career games with 130 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Gruden said McClain was a “really good onegap player” in three seasons with Dallas and hopefully can “be a quick study.”