Chris

Warren

James Butler was signed in the corresponding move. Warren impressed during the preseason last year before spending all of 2018 on injured reserve following knee surgery. Per beat reporter Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the Raiders had grown weary of the undrafted Texas product, citing his weight gain and struggle to grasp the team’s playbook as causes for concern. Warren should catch on elsewhere, though wherever the 23-year-old lands, he won’t be assured of a 53-man roster spot.

The Raiders didn’t have room for Warren on their active roster, so instead they’ll stash him on I.R. Warren led the league with 292 rushing yards during the preseason while averaging a robust 5.0 yards per carry. Kicker Eddy Pineiro will also spend the year on I.R.

Warren started with Oakland resting Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin. He played the entire game, with Jalen Richard mixing in. An undrafted free agent, Warren doesn’t have much of a chance to make a stacked Raiders’ backfield but put some good tape out for teams. Oakland may try to sneak Warren on their practice squad.

Bair considers Josh Jacobs, Doug Martin and Jalen Richard roster locks, leaving DeAndre Washington and Warren to compete for the final backfield slot in Oakland. Warren, who spent his rookie year on injured reserve following knee surgery, gives the Raiders’ a power component—Bair estimated his weight at a hulking 260 pounds—though his roster chances will likely come down to how he fares in pass protection. If you’re looking to pursue a Raiders back in fantasy this year, Jacobs and Richard are the names to target.

That would explain why the Raiders moved Warren to injured reserve on Saturday. The undrafted rookie crushed it this summer, leading the league with 292 rushing yards during the preseason. Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin will serve as the Raiders’ main running backs this year.