Raiders make moves at corner, running back

We learned earlier that the Raiders had cut cornerback Pat Lee. There had been speculation he had been waived due to the fact he didn't make the trip with the team to Baltimore. The move was made corresponding with the activation of Ron Bartell from injured reserve.

Along with Bartell's activation and Lee's release, the team placed Shawntae Spencer on injured reserve. The move was made so the team could activate practice squad running back, Jeremy Stewart.

Spencer had been out with a sprained foot since the second game of the season. With Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both out with sprained ankles, the team needed to make a decision at running back. They worked out Spencer on Friday to see how close he was to returning. The results of that workout were such that the team made the call to place him on IR rather than cut another corner and free up a roster spot for Stewart.

The rookie running back Stewart played at Stanford and though he didn't have a lot of yards (257) but he had 9 touchdowns which signals his use as a short yardage back for the Raiders. Taiwan Jones is the projected starter but he is not a short yardage specialist.

The release of Lee was likely due to the other corners on the roster needed on special teams. Brandian Ross, like Lee, was a Packers castoff and the team may have liked Ross' potential and didn't want to risk losing him had they cut him.

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