Taylor Mays‘ nomadic journey throughout 2015 may be nearing an end after the Raiders became the third team to release the safety and the fourth to deem him unworthy of further employment this year.
In a corresponding move, the Raiders promoted safety Tevin McDonald from their practice squad, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reports.
Mays hadn’t played much safety since re-signing with the Raiders after Nate Allen was designated for a short-term IR stay after Week 1. The Raiders initially signed Mays in late August but cut him as they minced their roster to 53 players.
The sixth-year veteran out of USC played mostly special teams in Oakland the past three weeks. He was questionable to play in Sunday’s game against the Broncos with an ankle injury.
After the Bengals didn’t re-sign him, the Lions and Vikings parted ways with Mays this offseason, and this latest transaction further puts the former second-round pick’s career in jeopardy.
Oakland signed McDonald originally as an undrafted free agent this spring but cut the rookie safety on the same day they axed Mays in September. He’s floated on and off the active roster throughout this season, being involved in several promotions and demotions.