Raiders add running back Rod Smith, waive safety D.J. Swearinger,
ALAMEDA >> The release of veteran safety D.J. Swearinger and the signing of running back Rod Smith were the most notable transactions Tuesday, a day after coach Jon Gruden alluded to “changes” following the Raiders’ third consecutive one-sided loss.
Swearinger was signed to the roster after Karl Joseph was lost to the season with a Lisfranc injury that required surgery. He debuted in a 17-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals where he generally played well, but was less effective in the threegame losing streak that followed, games in which he logged 35, 47 and 51 snaps.
In his fifth season out of Ohio State, Smith (6-foot3, 236 pounds) has more bulk than DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard, who assumed the load when Josh Jacobs was unable to play against Tennessee because of a shoulder injury.
The Raiders also released defensive tackle Terrell McClain and linebacker Preston Brown and placed tight end Foster Moreau on injured reserve.
Given that one player was added and four were removed, the Raiders still have room to maneuver with 50 players on their
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53-man roster.
Swearinger started three of four games since joining the Raiders, and his absence could mean more snaps for Curtis Riley or more plays at safety for starting cornerback Daryl Worley along with starter Erik Harris. Lamarcus Joyner, whose role with the Raiders has been as a slot corner, has played safety, and also on the roster is Dallin Leavitt, who has played exclusively on special teams.
Smith has limited experience as a ballcarrier, with his biggest season in 2017 for Dallas with 55 carries, 232 yards, four touchdowns and a 4.2 average yards per attempt. The following season, Smith had 44 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys.
Smith also has played special teams with the Cowboys under Raiders special teams coach Rich Bisaccia. He played in three games with the Tennessee Titans this season before being released.
Gruden said Monday he was unsure of Jacobs’ availability for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacobs, who has 1,061 yards rushing in 12 games, took a painkilling shot when injured against Green Bay on Oct. 20 and in each of the next six weeks in order to play on Sundays.
Things took a turn for the worse last week, when Jacobs posted on Snapchat his shoulder has been fractured since the Packers game and he was unable to practice during the week. However, the pregame injection Sunday was not sufficient for Jacobs to take the field.
“He sat in my coach’s office. He wanted to play, and he got really emotional about not playing,” Gruden said. “He doesn’t want to let his teammates down. I don’t know where he’s going to be this week, but if he’s ready to go and he’s cleared to play, he’ll play. He’s a great back and a great centerpiece for our team moving forward.”
Moreau’s absence means the Raiders will likely add a third tight end. Cole Wick (6-foot-6, 257) is the lone tight end on the practice squad. He’s a third-year player out of Incarnate Word in Texas. He has spent time with the Lions, 49ers and Titans since coming in as an undrafted rookie in 2016.
McClain had played just 25 snaps in three games and was inactive for the last two. Brown was active for the first time against Tennessee and played 17 snaps with one tackle.