Burnett takes the roster spot vacated when the Raiders waived Aaron Curry. The Raiders hadn't worked anyone out and by Wednesday when the team hadn't signed anyone to fill the available roster spot, the likelihood was that they were going to activate someone from the practice squad. And being that Burnett was the only linebacker on the practice squad, he was the logical choice to replace Curry.

They did the same thing a few weeks ago when they called up rookie running back Jeremy Stewart from the practice squad to help replace the injured Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson who will miss their third straight game Sunday.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound rookie, who wears No. 95, was in training camp with the Raiders. He went undrafted out of University of Nevada and impressed coaches enough to earn a spot on the practice squad.

Burnett played three years at Nevada after transferring from Delta State. The Raiders converted the former defensive end to linebacker. As a senior, he recorded five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Burnett's brother, Kevin, is in his eighth NFL season and is currently a starting linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.

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