BREAKING: Raiders Release LB Germaine Pratt After Strong Start to 2025 Season
In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the NFL community, the Las Vegas Raiders have announced the release of linebacker Germaine Pratt, a key defensive addition from the offseason. Pratt, who had become the team’s second-leading tackler heading into Week 5, did not travel with the team for their matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and the organization has confirmed that his absence is unrelated to injury.
Pratt, 27, was signed in free agency in the hopes that his leadership and playmaking ability would solidify the Raiders' linebacker corps. After a standout career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pratt had begun to emerge as a key defensive piece for Las Vegas, showing consistency and physicality throughout the early part of the season.
However, sources close to the Raiders have suggested that Pratt’s absence from the team’s recent road trip could signal deeper internal issues that led to his release. Despite his solid play, it appears that the organization has made the decision to move on, potentially as part of a larger effort to reshape the defensive unit under head coach Pete Carroll’s guidance.
Pratt's departure raises questions about the direction of the Raiders' defense as they prepare for the remainder of the season. With the linebacker now off the roster, Las Vegas will need to lean on younger talent to step into a larger role, and this move could pave the way for further adjustments in their defensive strategy.
This surprising decision could have ripple effects across the locker room, as Pratt was regarded as a leader by many teammates. Whether this is a sign of dissatisfaction with team performance or a shift in long-term strategy remains to be seen.
As the Raiders move forward without Pratt, all eyes will be on how they adjust defensively and whether this shake-up will impact their playoff hopes.
Raiders Sign Former Bill to Replace Injured All-Pro
Everything was going wrong for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, and they didn’t even have their punter for much of the game. AJ Cole got hurt on a blocked punt, which made it impossible for him to punt later in the game.
Luckily, he was able to come back in and hold kicks for Daniel Carlson, but he wasn’t able to punt. He hasn’t been ruled out for Week 6 yet, but the Raiders are making sure to have some insurance.
The team announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed punter Brad Robbins to the practice squad.
Robbins was a sixth-round pick out of Michigan in 2023 by the Cincinnati Bengals, but he only lasted a little more than one season with the team. He spent the offseason with the Buffalo Bills, but wasn’t able to make their roster.
Robbins was a stud at Michigan, but that skillset hasn’t translated to the NFL yet. Cole is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, so he won’t be easy to replace. The hope is that he won’t have to miss too much time, if any at all. It’s wise for the Raiders to bring some insurance in, but if he’s not getting placed on Injured Reserve, that means he could be back soon.
Pete Carroll Talks Special Teams Struggles
The Raiders have been very good on special teams the last few years, but that hasn’t been the case in 2025. The struggles were on display again in Week 5 on the punt block that got Cole injured.
The Raiders aren’t good enough on offense or defense to overcome special teams issues. Head coach Pete Carroll knows they need to be better.
“Yeah, we’re working really hard like we have been,” Carroll said Monday. “[Tom McMahon has] been here a long time and done a good job with the club and for the club, and we haven’t changed any of our emphasis. We’ve followed it as much as we can, and we’re counting on really good results. So, the fact that big plays have happened, we got to make sure that we got guys in the right spots.
“We’re going to keep working with new guys to fit in, see if they can make plays for us. We need our guys that are covering the kicks to do a consistent job, and I’d like to have more defensive guys on those teams when we can. But really, our emphasis has been, I would think, is consistent as any part of our team. So, we just got to get better results. We got to get away from the big plays.”
Cole Has Ankle Sprain
With the Raiders‘ offense struggling, they have to punt quite a bit. They are tied for the seventh-most punt attempts in the NFL right now. Carroll provided some insight into what happened to Cole, and the hope is that he’ll be ready to go on Sunday.
“He’s got a low ankle sprain. He’s going to try to kick on Friday,” Carroll said. “Let’s see how he does. So, he’s tough about it, and we’ll see what happens.”
