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.
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.”
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