D-line crowd sees release of vet Irving

In a surprise move, the Raiders on Friday released defensive tackle David Irving, who signed late last season after coming off the NFL’S suspended list.

Irving was expected to compete for snaps in a crowded, revamped defensive line. But the numbers game may have cost him his spot.

It also didn’t help that Irving has not been participating in the in-person, on-field portion of phase two of the team’s offseason program, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Given Irving’s checkered past — he was suspended indefinitely in March of 2019 by the NFL after repeated violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy — he was considered a bit of a long shot when the Raiders signed him last October upon his being reinstated and even when they re-signed him last February.

The hope was he was ready to seize an opportunity to get his career back on track. If things broke right, it was hoped he could provide the 56 tackles and 12½ sacks he gave the Cowboys in his 37 games in Dallas.

Preseason schedule set

The Raiders said Friday their first preseason game will be at home against the Seattle Seahawks at 6 p.m. Aug. 14.

Should Clark County fully reopen as planned, it will mark the first time the Raiders play in front of fans at Allegiant Stadium.

Their two remaining exhibition games are on the road: 7 p.m. Aug. 21 against the Los Angeles Rams and 1 p.m. Aug. 29 against the San Francisco 49ers.