It’s official. The Raiders have decided to go with seven cornerbacks on the roster. Veteran Nevin Lawson spent the first game of the season on suspension for using his helmet as a weapon late in last season’s finale in Denver.
Initially, Lawson was allowed to be a roster exemption while the team figured out what they were going to do. They have opted to add him back to the roster and in so doing they waived safety and special teamer Dallin Leavitt.
This gives them seven cornerbacks on the roster. The other six cornerbacks are Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette, Lamarcus Joyner, Isaiah Johnson, Keisean Nixon, and Amik Robertson.
As for the safety position, it leaves just starters Johnathan Abram and Erik Harris with backup Jeff Heath. Though in a pinch, Joyner could move to safety from his nickel cornerback spot.
There is some potential good news in this transaction. The Raiders have three players who left Sunday’s game in Carolina with injuries and did not return. They were tackles Trent Brown and Sam Young and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski. Had any of them been too serious, Lawson’s return would likely have been accompanied by one of them heading to injured reserve, especially considering this season players may return after as few as three games.
