Oakland Raiders

The Raiders took two of the fastest players available in the NFL draft, picking up cornerback Chimdi Chekwa from Ohio State (Round 4) and DeMarcus Van Dyke of Miami (Round 3). Both have been clocked in sub-4.4 second 40-yard dashes. Van Dyke started just three games as a senior but played in 50 and had three interceptions in four seasons with the Hurricanes. Chekwa started 38 of his 52 career games for the Buckeyes and was also a member of Ohio State's Big Ten championship 400-meter relay team in 2009. He had six interceptions and 29 pass breakups. "Cornerback here for the Oakland Raiders will always be a position that we address," coach Hue Jackson said. "We love guys who can cover, we love guys who can run, we love guys who are athletes, who can play several different spots back there in the secondary."

Oakland signed DL Mason Brodine to the active roster on Saturday after placing DB Chris Johnson on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.

After looking great in his first offseason practice open to the media, Raiders running back Darren McFadden said he feels back to normal and has his sights set on reaching a personal goal of 1,800 yards this season. McFadden is coming off of a Lisfranc foot sprain that cost him nine games last year after he totaled 768 yards and five scores in seven games. Coach Dennis Allen says he'll spare McFadden some reps in an effort to keep McFadden healthy for as long as possible. "I'm just out there playing, going hard," McFadden said according to the Contra Costa Times. "If I get hurt, so be it. I could see it if I was just going down the street, falling over, getting hurt. It's all behind me. If I get hurt going hard, I can't do anything about it. ... I feel like I got my feet wet in the NFL, now I have my confidence, so it's just going out there and playing with confidence. I'm going to go out there and run the ball."

Foot - Probable for start of training camp

Defensive end Dave Tollefson, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, officially signed with the Raiders according to The Sports Xchange. Tollefson played five seasons with the Giants, registering five sacks in a reserve role in 2011.

The Raiders spent four draft picks on the defense: San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris, Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford, Georgia State defensive end Christo Bilukidi and Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar.

Oakland rookie QB Terrelle Pryor made his NFL debut in Week 7 against Kansas City -- only he didn't initially line up under center. Pryor, who was eligible to play for the first time this season, was slotted as a wide receiver on the Raiders' opening drive in the first quarter. With QB Kyle Boller in shotgun formation, Pryor then went in motion and took the snap under center. He appeared to run for a first down but was called for a penalty.

After going for 123 yards and two scores against the division foe earlier in the year, Raiders WR Denarius Moore had another solid performance in Week 17 against the Chargers. He hauled in three catches for 101 yards in the 38-26 loss. He had a long reception of 78 and averaged 33.7 yards per grab. Moore, who was targeted six times, finished second on Oakland in receiving behind WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (130 yards).

The Oakland Raiders have paid DL Richard Seymour his $7.5 million roster bonus, ensuring he'll stay with the Raiders next season. The Raiders could have released Seymour and his massive contract, but chose instead to keep him and not make wholesale changes to the roster.

Raiders WR Louis Murphy had his best performance of the year in Week 17 against the Chargers. He posted a season-high 72 yards receiving on five catches. He also had a 27-yard run in the 38-26 loss. He had a long reception of 28 and averaged 14.4 yards per grab. Murphy, who was targeted six times, finished third on Oakland in receiving behind WRs Darrius Heyward-Bey (130 yards) and Denarius Moore (101 yards).

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

Quarterback Rhett Bomar and tight end Andre Hardy were waived Monday, the Raiders announced. Hardy, the son of former NFL running back Andre Hardy, played basketball in college but hasn't played football since high school. Bomar, who was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round in 2009, hasn't appeared in an NFL game.

Oakland LB Aaron Curry posted six tackles, including four solo stops, during the Raiders' 38-24 loss to Denver in Week 9. Curry finished with his highest tackle total in three games since joining Oakland following a trade with Seattle in mid-October.

Raiders DL Lamarr Houston (knee) was not listed among his team's inactives for Week 13 at Miami. Though he had been limited in practice all week, Houston was listed as probable for Sunday's game.

The Raiders spent four draft picks on the defense: San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris, Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford, Georgia State defensive end Christo Bilukidi and Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar.

The Raiders spent four draft picks on the defense: San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris, Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford, Georgia State defensive end Christo Bilukidi and Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar.

The Rams re-signed defensive end Eric Moore and signed three other players Monday: quarterback Jeff Otis, defensive back Marcus Brown and tight end Eric Butler. Moore is a four-year veteran who played in seven games for St. Louis in 2008. Otis is the son of former St. Louis Cardinals running back Jim Otis. He has been on practice squads for the Chiefs and Raiders.

Raiders DB Mike Mitchell recorded his first interception of the season in Week 14 against the Packers. He picked off QB Aaron Rodgers in the end zone in the second quarter and also posted four tackles in the 46-16 loss.

Comcast Sports Net reports Friday that the Raiders waived/injured James McCluskey. The team signed DT Derrick Hill to fill the roster spot.

Oakland RB Taiwan Jones is listed as questionable for Week 12 against Chicago with a lingering hamstring injury. Jones, who suffered the injury in the Raiders' last game against Minnesota, was unable to practice throughout the past week.

The Raiders made eight roster moves Tuesday to reach the mandatory 80-man limit. They placed LB Travis Goethel on injured reserve, waived FB Bryson Kelly, OL Ben Lamaak, WR Damola Adeniji, WR Steve Goulet, S Josh Bullocks and DT Derrick Hill and waived/injured OL Lou Eliades. OL Alan Pelc cleared waivers and was placed on IR.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

Green Bay lost DB Pat Lee in the first quarter with an ankle problem Week 12 at Atlanta. He recorded one assisted tackle before leaving.

Notable cuts by the Chargers on Saturday include: LB Kevin Bentley, DB Quinton Teal, LB Bront Bird, DE Mike Blanc, RB Curtis Brinkley, CB Ramon Broadway, DE Charlie Bryant, TE Charles Davis, DE Carl Ihenacho, DE Ogemdi Nwagbuo, RB Isaac Odim, RB Dean Rogers, CB Traye Simmons, FB Frank Summers, TE Brad Taylor, QB Scott Tolzien and LB Kion Wilson.

The Raiders spent four draft picks on the defense: San Diego State linebacker Miles Burris, Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford, Georgia State defensive end Christo Bilukidi and Penn State linebacker Nathan Stupar.

Raiders DB Michael Huff, who was limited in practice this week by an ankle injury, is active for Week 11 at Minnesota. Huff has been dealing with the injury for several weeks but was listed as questionable on the injury report after suffering a setback Thursday.

Raiders rookie wide receiver Juron Criner put on a receiving show during Tuesday's OTA. On one play, he made an acrobatic grab between two defenders of a 50-yard pass from Carson Palmer. On another, he blew past a defensive back for a long catch from Palmer. It appeared that Palmer and Criner already had their rhythm down pat. "I think every day he gets a little bit better," coach Dennis Allen said. "I was pleased with the way he practiced today. It's not a whole lot different than what we saw on tape in college. That's what we expect from him."

Raiders tight end David Ausberry, who played receiver at USC, weighed 250 pounds last year as a rookie after switching positions. This year he's up to 265 pounds, making him better equipped to block in the trenches and compete for the starting job that opened when the Raiders released Kevin Boss. "That’s what I'm trying to do," Ausberry said. "If I get a chance to get out there, I will get it."

The Raiders announced Wednesday that DL Matt Shaughnessy was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury that has already kept him out three games. He was scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery. “It just wasn’t getting any better,” coach Hue Jackson said. “We lost a really good football player.

Shoulder - IR. Out for the season

Safety Tyvon Branch signed his franchise tag tender Monday, the Raiders announced. He has posted at least 100 total tackles in each of his last three seasons and has started every game in that span. He'll receive a $6.22 million guaranteed salary for 2012.

Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer said he's adjusting well to new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's scheme, which requires him to roll out and throw on the run more than he has since early in his NFL career at Cincinnati and in college at USC. "I've done a ton of it in my career early on and in college, did a ton of different nakeds and keepers and boots and stuff like that," he said. "It really suits me well. It suits our personnel well with some of the guys we have on the outside."

The Raiders acquired running back Mike Goodson from the Panthers on Friday in exchange for offensive tackle Bruce Campbell, a trade both teams hope will improve their depth. Goodson, who ran for 501 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons with Carolina, became expendable after the team signed free agent running back Mike Tolbert earlier this month. "Being behind DeAngelo (Williams) and (Jonathan) Stewart for a couple of years has been difficult just wanting to play and being a competitor," Goodson said. "I wasn't looking to leave but anywhere that gave an opportunity, I'm definitely up for that."

The Raiders agreed to a one-year deal with unrestricted free agent Philip Wheeler on Friday to fill their void at starting outside linebacker.

The Raiders have confirmed reports that wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was cited last month on suspicion of driving drunk on the Bay Bridge. The San Francisco district attorney filed charges on Wednesday according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "We will be pleading not guilty on May 31 and we will further investigate and contest these charges as the case moves forward," said attorney Ivan Golde, who represents Heyward-Bey. Golde called it "a very low blood-alcohol level case," but declined to get into specifics since the authorities haven't released the number. He also said Thursday it should be noted Heyward-Bey "has been a model NFL player."

Raiders RB Manase Tonga had two catches for 12 yards Saturday at Kansas City in Week 16. He had two targets in the game.

Raiders TE Richard Gordon suffered a broken hand in Week 4 against the Patriots but returned to the game after his injury, wearing a cast, coach Hue Jackson said Monday. Because Gordon has been used primarily as a blocker, at both tight end and fullback, he likely will be able to play in Week 5 against the Texans, despite the injury.

The Browns have released the following players: DL Andre Carroll, WR L.J. Castile, DB Cove Francies, TE Evan Frosch, DB Carl Gettis, LB Eric Gordon, DL Travis Ivey, WR Chris Matthews, LB Steve Octavien, DL Ko Quaye, CB Ramzee Robinson, CB DeAngelo Smith, LB Sidney Tarver and WR Demetrius Williams.

Raiders K Sebastian Janikowski had a busy outing in Week 17 against the Chargers. He made all four of his field goal attempts and converted two extra points in the 38-26 loss. He made his field goals from distances of 27, 32, 43 and 52 yards.

The Cowboys made their final cuts on Saturday in order to get down to the league-mandated 53 players, and there were some notable subtractions. Among the players released were FBs Chris Gronkowski, Jason Pociask Shaun Chapas and Isaiah Greenhouse; WRs Tysson Poots, Manuel Johnson, Lyle Leong and Teddy Williams; DBs Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Mario Butler, Chris Randle, Andrew Sendejo, Josh Thomas and Collin Zych; LBs Mike Balogun, Kenwin Cummings, Orie Lemon, and Brandon Williams; DE Jimmy Saddler-McQueen and RB Lonyae Miller.

The Panthers announced that they waived FB Rashawn Jackson on Thursday. They claimed FB Jerome Felton off waivers from Detroit to take his place.

Raiders DB Matt Giordano had an outstanding game in Week 16 at Kansas City. Giordano had 10 tackles, including nine solo, with one interception.

Raiders DB Chimdi Chekwa was placed on IR on Thursday with a hamstring injury. DB Bryan McCann was signed to take his roster spot.

Raiders TE Brandon Myers was held without a catch in Week 14 against the Packers. He was targeted zero times by QB Carson Palmer in the 46-16 loss.

After missing the previous six games due to a foot injury, Raiders WR Jacoby Ford returned in Week 17 against the Chargers. He finished with two catches for 13 yards in the 38-26 loss.

The Oakland Raiders signed cornerback Shawntae Spencer to a one-year deal. Spencer was released last week after eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and quickly found a new home across the bay with the Raiders, who were looking to bolster their depleted secondary. Spencer started 72 games his first seven years for San Francisco, including all 32 in 2009-10. But he lost his job in training camp last year and spent most of his final season with the 49ers as a reserve.

The Raiders made the necessary cuts to get down the the required 53 players on Saturday. Among the released were QB Trent Edwards, WR Shaun Bodiford, S Matt Giordano, CB Lito Sheppard, LB Sam Williams, WR Shawn Bayes, CB Jeremy Ware, TE Kevin Brock, DE Mason Brodine, DB Stevie Brown, DT Jamie Cumbie, LB Chris Francis, LB Bani Gbadyu, DT Derrick Hill, DE Tommie Hill, WR Chad Jackson, LB J Leman, CB Walter McFadden, WR Eddie McGee, CB Sterling Moore, RB Louis Rankin and FB Manase Tonga.

The Raiders made the necessary cuts to get down the the required 53 players on Saturday. Among the released were QB Trent Edwards, WR Shaun Bodiford, S Matt Giordano, CB Lito Sheppard, LB Sam Williams, WR Shawn Bayes, CB Jeremy Ware, TE Kevin Brock, DE Mason Brodine, DB Stevie Brown, DT Jamie Cumbie, LB Chris Francis, LB Bani Gbadyu, DT Derrick Hill, DE Tommie Hill, WR Chad Jackson, LB J Leman, CB Walter McFadden, WR Eddie McGee, CB Sterling Moore, RB Louis Rankin and FB Manase Tonga.

Free agent fullback Owen Schmitt signed Tuesday with the Raiders, the team announced. Schmitt played his first two seasons with Seattle and the past two with Philadelphia. He's appeared in 51 games with 12 starts. Starting fullback Marcel Reece has yet to sign his exclusive rights tender and isn't participating in the offseason program.

Notable Saints players let go on Saturday include: TE Tyler Lorenzen, WR Montez Billings, LB Dwight Roberson, DT Dexter Larimore, QB Sean Canfield, WR Andy Tanner, CB Terrail Lambert, LB Nate Bussey, WR Jarred Fayson, TE Michael Higgins, TE Tory Humphrey, S Chris Reis, CB Trumaine McBride, CB Quincy Butler, LB Clint Ingram, RB Chris Taylor and S Pierson Prioleau.

Raiders cornerback Ron Bartell said he has recovered "100 percent" after fracturing some small bones in his neck in the 2011 season-opener with the Rams. Bartell said he has no fears about playing this season. "When I had the injury, I didn't actually know that I had fractured my neck. It felt more like a stinger. We didn't find out that I had the fracture until I got the C-T scan. I never had to go through the anxiety of getting carted off the field or losing feeling or paralysis. ... I feel great. I'm just happy to be back on the field."

Raiders DB Chimdi Chekwa was placed on IR on Thursday with a hamstring injury. DB Bryan McCann was signed to take his roster spot.

Hamstring - IR. Out for the season

Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was sentenced to 180 days in jail and fined $2,000 by a municipal court judge in Decatur, Ala., after being found guilty on all four misdemeanor charges he faced stemming from an incident last November. He was charged with third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm. McClain was released on bond; it is not known when he will serve his jail term.

The 49ers cut down the roster by 26 on Saturday to get to the league-mandated 53 players on deadline. Among the casualties were WRs Ronald Johnson, Joe Hastings, Lance Long and Chris Hogan, CBs Phillip Adams, Phillip Davis, and Cory Nelms, LB Alex Joseph, TE Nate Lawrie, C Chase Beeler, QB McLeod Bethel-Thomspon, FB Jack Corcoran, DT Brian Bulcke, S Chris Maragos, RB Xavier Omon, TE Konrad Reuland, LB Monte Simmons, LB Kenny Rowe, NT Sealver Siliga, FS Curtis Taylor, and DB Anthony West.

Quarterback Rhett Bomar and tight end Andre Hardy were waived Monday, the Raiders announced. Hardy, the son of former NFL running back Andre Hardy, played basketball in college but hasn't played football since high school. Bomar, who was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round in 2009, hasn't appeared in an NFL game.

Raiders DL Tommy Kelly has been ruled active for Week 16 against the Chiefs. He was listed as probable entering Saturday due to a toe injury.

Quarterback Matt Leinart will sign with the Raiders Tuesday, according to the team. He's expected to back up Carson Palmer while being reunited with Greg Knapp, his former offensive coordinator from Houston.

Shoulder - Questionable for start of training camp