Getty Vontaze Burfict of the Oakland Raiders.
The Oakland Raiders have signed an insurance policy.
As the Raiders prepare for another game on the road, they might be without three of their top linebackers. Just in case that becomes a reality in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, the Raiders have signed rookie linebacker Dakota Allen off of the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad.
The Raiders are signing LB Dakota Allen off the Rams practice squad, source said. (@LindseyThiry/@PGutierrezESPN first). Texas Tech alum was drafted in the seventh round by LAR.
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Raiders Are Decimated at Linebacker with Injuries
Allen was selected with the 251st overall pick in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-1 linebacker was a First-Team All-Big 12 selection during his senior season at Texas Tech.
Despite being cut by the Rams during final roster cuts at the end of August, he was promptly re-signed to their practice squad.
If Allen suits up for the Raiders this week, it’ll mark his NFL debut. It’s a realistic possibility considering Vontaze Burfict (elbow), Marquel Lee (knee) and Nicholas Morrow (ankle) all suffered key injuries during the team’s 34-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. All three linebackers left the game due to their injuries.
We’ll have a better understanding of just how severe those injuries are when the Raiders release their final injury report on Friday, but Oakland is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
Jon Gruden on Mounting Injuries: ‘I’m Concerned’
Head coach Jon Gruden expressed his concern regarding the injuries to three of his four top linebackers, including two starters, as NBC Sports revealed.
“You get worried when you have three of your linebackers come out of the game. Yeah, I’m a little concerned to say the least. [General Manager] Mike Mayock and staff are working hard to come up with a contingency plan if we need to find a linebacker.”
Prior to Allen’s signing, he did mention the team would likely sign another linebacker.
“We will bring some players to look at from other teams that are available and monitor the health of our players,” Gruden said. “There’s a chance a couple of them can play and practice and perform in Indianapolis on Sunday, but as a contingency plan, we’ll certainly look at some available linebackers.”
It’s worth mentioning that Oakland still has other options if need be. They have rookie linebacker Justin Phillips on the practice squad and former Raider Jason Cabinda is on the Detroit Lions‘ practice squad. Furthermore, former starting linebacker Brandon Marshall remains a free agent. For those who have forgotten, Marshall was a surprising cut during roster cutdowns back in August.
Marshall was a member of the Denver Broncos for the past six years, serving as a starter since the 2014 season. He led the Broncos in tackles in 2014 and 2017 and was a key contributor on the team that won Super Bowl 50.
As far as Cabinda is concerned, he racked up 20 tackles in 10 games and three starts as a member of the Raiders in 2018. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent.
The Raiders will look to get healthy as they brace for their Week 4 matchup against the Colts.
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