Raiders cut CB Arnette after threat

The Raiders waived 2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette and have now cut ties with both first-round picks from that draft before the midpoint of their second season because of off-field issues.

General manager Mike Mayock called it a “painful decision” to release Arnette on Monday but said it was necessary in response to a social media post with Arnette brandishing a gun and threatening to kill someone. Arnette was also being sued over a hit-and-run accident from 2020.

“There have been a series of bad decisions over the last year or so, but we can’t stand for the video of Damon with a gun threatening to take a life,” Mayock said. “The content was unacceptable, contrary to our values and our owner Mark Davis has been very clear that this is not how we will conduct ourselves in this community.”

Arnette was drafted 19th overall out of Ohio State to be a starting cornerback with a pick acquired in the Khalil Mack trade despite what Mayock called “significant concerns” about his character.

The move to cut Arnette comes less than a week after No. 12 overall pick Henry Ruggs III was released following a fatal DUI crash. Authorities said Ruggs was driving 156 mph with a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit in Nevada. He faces multiple felonies and jail time if convicted.

College football: Texas Tech hired Baylor associate head coach Joey McGuire as its next head football coach. McGuire, a successful longtime Texas high school coach, is in his fifth season at Baylor and his third as the team’s associate head coach. McGuire replaces Matt Wells, who was fired on Oct. 25 . ... Washington suspended coach Jimmy Lake for one game after a sideline incident that involved Lake appearing to strike freshman LB Ruperake Fuavai’s helmet during the Huskies’ 26-16 loss to Oregon on Saturday.

NBA: 76ers All-Star G Ben Simmons met with a team-recommended medical specialist to discuss his mental health, ESPN reported. Simmons, 25, who initially had been resistant to the idea, hasn’t played this season. He requested a trade during the offseason and has been repeatedly fined by the team for failing to participate in required activities such as strength training and film study . ... All-Star G Jaylen Brown, the Celtics’ top scorer at 25.6 ppg, will miss one to two weeks with a right hamstring strain . ... Cavaliers G Collin Sexton will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a knee injury Sunday. Sexton has a meniscus tear in the knee, which will require additional testing and evaluation . ... President Joe Biden welcomed the champion Bucks to the White House, praising team members not just for their achievements on the court, but also for their efforts to promote coronavirus vaccinations and for speaking out after the 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake sparked protests in Kenosha, Wis. The Bucks were the first league champs to visit the White House in nearly five years, ending a Donald Trump-era hiatus.

NHL: Avalanche F Valeri Nichushkin has been given until Nov. 16 to respond to an allegation of doping dating back to 2013, the Russian Hockey Federation announced. Any doping suspension would be imposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation and wouldn’t affect his NHL participation.