Raiders announce practice squad players

The Raiders have announced their practice squad. Here are the players who made the squad as of now:

Chance Casey,                 CB 5-11 190 R Baylor
Greg Jenkins, WR 6-1 208 R Alabama State
Shelton Johnson, S 6-0 197 R Wisconsin
Brian Leonhardt,           TE 6-5 255 R Bemidji State
Lamar Mady, G 6-2 315 R Youngstown State
Matt McCants, T 6-5 309 1 UAB
Marshall McFadden, LB 6-1 233 1 South Carolina State

Matt McCants and Marshall McFadden are new additions to the Raiders as neither were with the Raiders in camp. Both players spent last season as practice squad players.

McCants is a former sixth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. After being waived by the Giants on Aug. 31, 2012, he was signed to their practice squad where he spent almost the entire season.

McCants played in 47 games with 42 starts, mostly at left tackle, over four seasons at Alabama Birmingham. He was a two-time All-Conference USA first-team selection (2010 & 2011) and was named the conference's best offensive lineman his senior year.

McFadden was originally signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' off-season roster in Jan. 2012. Following being waived on Aug. 31, 2012, he was signed to the Steelers' practice squad, where he spent most of the season. McFadden was signed to Pittsburgh's active roster for the Nov. 18 game vs. Baltimore, seeing action on special teams and recording his first career special teams tackle. He was not on an NFL roster in 2011.

McFadden started 49 games over his collegiate career (2005-10) at South Carolina State, totaling more than 300 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was named to the second team All-MEAC in 2008 and received a medical redshirt in 2007 and 2009.

Teams are allowed eight players on the practice squad. This means they have one spot open for another player to sign. It could be the team is hoping Tyler Wilson clears waivers so they can place him on the team. Although putting quarterbacks on the practice squad is rather unusual, it could allow them to stash him to see if he can develop.

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