In a smart and somewhat expected move, the Raiders have brought back middle linebacker Ricky Brown; he was signed on Sunday to the Raiders’ active roster after being cut by the Patriots. The Raiders then released offensive tackle Seth Wand to make room on the roster. The team also announced their practice squad.
Brown was the Raiders backup middle linebacker behind Kirk Morrison for four seasons in Oakland. Last season he backed up Rolando McClain at the position. The Raiders allowed him to leave as a free agent this offseason because they had found his replacement in second-year linebacker Travis Goethel. But for the second season in a row, Goethel went down with an injury.
Goethel being lost for the season left the Raiders’ cupboard bare behind McClain at middle linebacker. They brought in recently waived Jeremy Leman for practice purposes and to play in the final preseason game. But in the end, they needed Ricky Brown back.
Brown is familiar with the Raiders and his signing immediately becomes one of the more important ones this camp. The team had inquired about former Seahawk Lofa Tatupu but he was most likely not completely healthy and left without an offer. Leman is familiar with Raiders’ defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan as he was his middle linebacker while Bresnahan was the defensive coordinator for the Florida Tuskers of the UFL. But Leman was clearly not ready or simply not talented enough to play middle linebacker for the Raiders.
Leman joins the practice squad along with rookies CB Sterling Moore, DE Mason Brodine, DT Jamie Cumbie, and WR Eddie McGee. Coming back for a second stint on the Raiders’ practice squad are OL Alex Parsons, FB Manase Tonga, and TE Kevin Brock.
ALSO SEE: Bold Raiders roster shuffle predictions
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