Las Vegas Raiders News & Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/21

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Raiders Extend P AJ Cole

The Raiders are busy extending their key special teamers. After reportedly extending kicker Daniel Carlson earlier tonight, the Raiders have now inked punter AJ Cole to a four-year extension, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).

[RELATED: Raiders Extend K Daniel Carlson]

Cole joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of NC State in 2019, and he hasn’t missed a single game for the organization since that time. Cole has appeared in 12 games this season, compiling 2,505 yards on 49 punts (good for a league-leading 51.1 yards per punt).

The terms of Cole’s deal haven’t been reported, but Garafolo notes that Cole will be among the four highest-paid punters in the NFL. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson became the highest-paid player at his position when he signed a pact worth $3.5MM per year.

The Raiders front office is making significant investments in their special teams aces. Earlier tonight, the organization signed Carolson to a four-year pact worth $18.4MM, including a $4MM signing bonus and $10.2MM in guaranteed

Raiders Extend K Daniel Carlson

Daniel Carlson will be sticking around Las Vegas for the foreseeable future. The Raiders have signed their kicker to a four-year extension, according to agent Mike McCartney (via Twitter). The four-year pact is worth $18.4MM, including a $4MM signing bonus and $10.2MM in guaranteed money, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).

Carlson was a fifth-round pick by the Vikings back in 2018, but he didn’t even make it a month into his first NFL season before receiving his walking papers. He caught on with the Raiders later that season, and he’s been the organization’s kicker ever since. The kicker struggled a bit during his first full season with the Raiders, converting only 73.1 percent of his field goal attempts. However, that number jumped to 94.3 percent in 2020.

Following the kicker’s breakout season, the Raiders slapped Carlson with a second-round tender back in March. The 26-year-old has appeared in all 12 games for the Raiders this season, connecting on 27 of his 30 field goal attempts (90.0%) and 23 of his 25 extra point tries (92.0%). He’s already earned a pair of AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards this season.

Carlson’s extension makes him the third highest-paid kicker in the NFL. The Dolphins reset the kicker market back in February when they gave Jason Sanders a $22MM extension, the largest kicker contract in the NFL. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker still paces the position with $12.5MM in guaranteed money and a $5MM average annual salary.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/21

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Designated for return: G D’Ante Smith, CB Trae Waynes

Denver Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Washington Football Team

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/21

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Rams

  • Released: WR JJ Koski

Las Vegas Raiders

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Signed: WR Travis Toivonen

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

LB Will Compton To Sign With Raiders

It sounds like Will Compton has found his next gig. The free agent linebacker announced on Twitter that he’s signing with the Raiders.

We learned earlier today that the 32-year-old was generating interest from multiple teams and a signing was imminent. Compton — the co-host of Barstool Sports’ “Bussin’ With The Boys,” — has yet to play in 2021, but now he’ll have an opportunity to revive his career in Las Vegas. The team is currently dealing with minor injuries throughout their linebackers depth chart, and that includes starters Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton. As a result, Compton could have an opportunity to contribute ASAP.

The linebacker played for the Raiders during the 2019 season, collecting 41 tackles in nine games (four starts). In 2020, he returned to the Titans for his second stint in Nashville, collecting 18 stops across 12 appearances.

Compton has appeared in 90 games over the course of his NFL career, including 40 starts. His most significant action came early in his career with Washington. From 2013 through 2017, he started in 33 of his 57 games. Compton’s on-field career has tailed off somewhat since a Lisfranc injury capped his ’17 early.

Minor NFL Transactions:  12/6/21

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Trent Scott

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Raiders’ Kenyan Drake Done For Year

The season is over for Raiders running Kenyan Drake (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). After suffering an ankle fracture on Sunday, Drake will be shut down for the year and placed on the injured reserve list. 

Drake, the Raiders’ second-leading rusher behind starter Josh Jacobs, had to be carted off midway through the second quarter against Washington. WFT was leading 7-0 at the time and went on to win 17-15.

I know he’s had significant injuries in the past,” said Jacobs (via ESPN.com). “So, I’m just praying for him right now and praying for his family. His whole family was here at the game.”

Drake’s year will end with 254 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and a solid 4.3 yards per carry average. He also added 29 grabs for 283 receiving yards and one TD through the air.

The Raiders may add another RB to join Jacobs and Peyton Barber, though Jalen Richard could be ready to return from the COVID-19 list soon. Down to 6-6 on the year, the Raiders are set for a must-win game against the Chiefs next week.