Roscoe Parrish joins Raiders officially

The Raiders have confirmed they have signed punt returner and wide receiver Roscoe Parrish. The seven year return man was released by the San Diego Chargers Monday morning in their first round of roster cuts. He was signed by the Chargers this offseason to compete at wide receiver as well as punt returner.

He was at Raiders practice today wearing number 18 less than a day after his reported signing with the team. Offensive lineman Zach Hurd, who had been out with a head injury for a couple weeks, has been waived/injured to make room for the signing.

Parrish has spent his entire seven year career with the Buffalo Bills. He is considered one of the best in the business as a punt returner. He has averaged double digit return yards in each of his five complete seasons and had a return touchdown in each season from 2006 to 2008. His receiving numbers reached a career high with 33 catches for 400 yards in 2010. He was lost for the season with ankle injury in the Bills' week two matchup with the Raiders last season.

The Raiders have struggled in the return game this preseason. Jacoby Ford was to be tried at both kick returner and punt returner but after some mixed results, he went out with a foot injury. From the looks of it, Parrish could take over the punt return duties with Ford returning to kick returns once he is healthy.

A receiver by trade, Parrish would most likely mean wide receiver Eddie McGee is released prior to the season. McGee is eligible for the practice squad should the team choose to put him there.