Kaluka

Maiava

The move officially ends Maiava’s ineffective two years in Oakland, where he appeared in just 13-of-26 games. Maiava was struggling mightily before landing on injured reserve, but could latch on somewhere as veteran depth if he’s over his hamstring injury.

The Raiders are beginning the arduous task of remaking their decimated front seven. A 13-game starter for the 2012 Browns, Maiava finished with 53 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 4-3 outside linebacker, but played just 498 snaps. He will be a starter in Oakland.

Maiava and his brother were part of a brawl on March 17, which was just four days after Maiava signed a three-year deal with the Raiders. Maiava is from Maui. By recent NFL player standards, the charges aren’t exactly serious, but Maiava could still be facing league discipline. An effective player in 498 snaps for the Browns last season, Maiava is ticketed for a bigger role in Oakland. It might not pan out for the formerly career special teamer.

Maiava was injured during the first half of Sunday’s loss to the Eagles and will be shut down with just four weeks remaining in the regular season. He appeared in nine games and had 17 tackles as a reserve linebacker prior to going down. Due $1.54 million in 2014, Maiava is a candidate for offseason release.

MLB Nick Roach is still battling a concussion from the summer, while Sio Moore is hobbled by an ankle injury. Top backup LB Miles Burris is in a walking boot. Maiava has made 24 career starts, but is undersized and has been destroyed as a run defender on 94 snaps this season. Filimoeatu is an undrafted rookie out of Utah State. Fire Lamar Miller up as a solid RB2 play.

It’s the second straight year Maiava has been placed on injured reserve. It leaves the Raiders’ already questionable linebacker depth that much more undermanned. Handed a three-year, $6 million deal in March 2013, Maiava will head into the offseason having appeared in just 13 of a possible 32 games over the past two seasons. Maiava was ineffective when he did manage to take the field. He’ll almost certainly be released.

Maiava went down in the first half, and wasn’t spotted after halftime. Just a reserve, Maiava’s status is uncertain.

The NFL’s investigation concluded that Fujita pledged a “significant” amount of money in the bounty/performance pool. When Fujita missed time last year, Chris Gocong slid over to the strong side with Kaluka Maiava entering on the weak side. All four players suspended are expected to appeal. “Get ready for a massive multiple legal battle over this on several fronts,” a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Coach Pat Shurmur even suggested Fujita may land on injured reserve. Though he’s now 32 years old and has spent much of his career as a journeyman type, Fujita has been one of the few Cleveland defenders who are effective versus the run. With Fujita out, the Browns will turn to Chris Gocong at strong-side linebacker with Kaluka Maiava entering the starting lineup on the weak side.

The Browns’ No. 6 defense will already be without strong-side linebacker Scott Fujita (hand). If Maiava can’t go, Titus Brown would be forced to fill in. Chris Gocong has switched sides to replace Fujita.