Raiders Reunite With Former Promising UDFA, Cut Ties With Recent Signee
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a key win over the Tennessee Titans, but they can’t get complacent right now with a big matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on deck. Though the team won, the offensive line struggled against the Titans.
Things won’t get any easier against the Chiefs. The Raiders aren’t going to find a quick fix on the offensive line, but they may have found a player who can eventually help. The team announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed offensive guard McClendon Curtis to the practice squad.
#RAIDERS ROSTER MOVES:
– Signed G McClendon Curtis to the practice squad
– Released P Brad Robbins from the practice squad
Curtis first came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent signing with the Raiders in 2023. He was considered one of the top undrafted free agent signings that year, but he narrowly missed making the roster after training camp. The team brought him back on the practice squad, but the Seattle Seahawks poached him.
He hasn’t been able to find a long-term home, but he’s still a young player with upside. Head coach Pete Carroll also knows Curtis, as he was the head coach of the Seahawks when they poached him from the Raiders in 2023.
The team’s offensive line interior could use some work, so perhaps Curtis could eventually make his way to the active roster. To make room for the offensive guard, the Raiders cut punter Brad Robbins, who was just recently signed amid concerns about AJ Cole’s health. This is a good sign that the All-Pro should be healthy going forward.
Carroll Addresses Offensive Line
The Raiders‘ offensive line is likely going to continue to struggle this season. Left tackle Kolton Miller could miss the rest of the year, and there hasn’t been a consistent player to emerge yet.
Carroll had a chance to discuss the group’s performance against the Titans.
“Stone’s [Forsythe] got a challenge,” Carroll told reporters on Monday. “He’s been a backup for a while. He started a handful of games, a dozen games or something like that, whatever it is. And so, he’s got to just keep going and keep battling. We got to keep helping him properly, and he really gives you everything he’s got preparation-wise, smarts-wise, technique-wise. He’s stepping and kicking the way you’re supposed to, and he’s got to survive.”
“It’s hard. And look, there was a portion in the game where the pass rush, really, all of a sudden, was a big deal, and then we put it to rest. In the second half, it wasn’t a factor much, but there was a spurt in there where they were really hot and we were struggling a little bit, and we didn’t give up a sack in the second half.”
Carroll Praises Jordan Meredith
One player who is still working out some kinks is center Jordan Meredith. This is his first season playing the position, but Carroll likes what he’s seen so far.
“He was really solid,” Caroll said. “He’s been solid throughout. There’s times he gets in situations with enormous guys, and sometimes he’s battling up against it. But most of that is we have to be right, to be really, really precise about the way we help each other and in our footwork and all that so we don’t create the little voids in there that can give guys penetration opportunities. But he’s doing really well. He’s a really solid player for us.”
'I’m Tired of People Doing Stuff': Lions Player in Postgame Fight Claims Chiefs Were Bullying Him
Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Detroit Lions, emotions ran high, culminating in a postgame altercation that left players and fans buzzing. Lions rookie safety Brian Branch found himself at the center of a confrontation, claiming he felt bullied on the field by the Chiefs, particularly in the moments leading up to the scuffle.
Branch’s frustration stemmed from a series of plays during the game that he believed were unfair. He accused the Chiefs of targeting him with illegal hits, which went uncalled by the referees. This perceived lack of protection contributed to a boiling point that erupted after the final whistle, as tensions escalated into a physical confrontation involving Branch and Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The conflict began when Branch dismissed a handshake attempt from star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This snub quickly turned contentious when Smith-Schuster intervened, leading to Branch slapping him, which ignited a chaotic scene on the field. Players from both teams were drawn into the fray as officials rushed to separate them, reflecting the heated atmosphere that had been building throughout the game.
Branch later expressed regret over his actions but maintained that the Chiefs’ aggressive tactics had provoked him. He emphasized that the lack of penalties for illegal hits contributed to his feelings of frustration, asserting that players should feel safe during games. His comments highlighted the ongoing conversation about player safety and officiating consistency in the NFL.
Detroit Lions’ Brian Branch Says Kansas City Chiefs Were Bullying Him on the Field
Branch faced the media after the game and said certain Chiefs players were bullying him on the field. This can be seen in a pair of posts by Eric Woodyard and Crunch Time Sports on X.
Meanwhile, Smith-Schuster took a more measured approach in his postgame remarks, indicating that he had expected a more cordial exchange. He downplayed the incident, signaling a willingness to move past the altercation and focus on the team’s objectives moving forward.
As the dust settles from the confrontation, both teams are left to reflect on the intensity of the game. With the NFL season in full swing, players and coaches alike will be watching closely to see how such incidents are handled and what implications they may have for future matchups.
