Ferrell full strength after weight gain
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell said he tipped the scales at 266 pounds Thursday morning.
And that was a welcome sight to the Raiders rookie.
“I was like, ‘Thank God, I’m finally back to my weight,’ ” Ferrell said.
In Week 5, when the Raiders played the Bears in London, Ferrell, this year’s No. 4 overall pick, was inactive due to a concussion. But he was also sick on the trip and said Thursday that, when he returned, he weighed in at 250 pounds. Ferrell said the last time he had been that light was “after I graduated high school.”
“I just felt bad, felt weak and all those things,” Ferrell said. “But it’s all a learning process. I feel like I’ve experienced a lot of different things so far my rookie year, and I’m just excited to keep building.”
Ferrell is coming off his best NFL game: 2.5 sacks, eight tackles and a pass batted down in a win over the Chargers. In his past two games, Ferrell has 12 of his 23 tackles this season.
“I really think the light came on for him in the second half of the Detroit game (in Week 9),” said defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. “And then he went out against the Chargers and played really good. So hopefully he can keep playing at a high level and we can have the wave of guys … that was really impressive the other night.”
Cavalry coming: Safety D.J. Swearinger and defensive end Dion Jordan, both signed Saturday by the Raiders, could both play this week against the Bengals, Guenther said.
Swearinger began practicing with the Raiders on Monday and was familiar with some of their system from playing in Arizona for coordinator Vance Joseph, who coached with Guenther in Cincinnati. Jordan practiced for the first time on Wednesday after having a 10game NFL suspension for Adderall use lifted Tuesday.
“All hands on deck this week with the guys we’ve got,” Guenther said.
The Raiders’ safety group currently includes starter Erik Harris, Curtis Riley (two defensive snaps since Week 3), Dallin Leavitt (zero defensive snaps this season) and Swearinger.
Jordan, a former No. 3 overall pick, has not played a game since last season. But Guenther said Jordan took some reps with the firstteam defense Thursday and has looked “impressive” in his limited practice time.
“He’s a goodlookin’ rascal,” Guenther said. “The guy is big, long, he’s getting into football shape. He should really help us out. He’s real smart. He’s picked up the playbook quick.”
Slotting in: Nickel corner Lamarcus Joyner has not practiced since injuring his hamstring against the Chargers. Guenther said Nevin Lawson and Daryl Worley have been practicing at slot corner this week.
“We train those guys to play inside and outside,” Guenther said. “So it shouldn’t be much of an issue.”