Raiders (finally) send David Ausberry to injured reserve

In a move that seemed inevitable a months ago, but for some reason didn't happen, the Raiders have sent tight end David Ausberry to injured reserve. In corresponding moves, the team called up defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin from the practice squad and signed DB Jansen Watson to the practice squad.

Ausberry had been out with after having a procedure done on his knee during training camp. He didn't play in the team's first three games before seeing his first -- and only -- game action in week four against the Dolphins. In that game, he had two catches for 14 yards before suffering yet another injury.

During the bye week, new interim head coach Tony Sparano suggested the injury could be serious along with those of Tyvon Branch and Rod Streater. Branch was placed on injured reserve with a broken foot, Rod Streater was placed on partial season injured reserve, and yet somehow Ausberry remained on the team.

Now some eight weeks later, Rod Streater has returned from his partial season IR designation and Ausberry still had yet to play in a game.

This is on the heels of the fourth-year tight end missing the entire 2013 season with a shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason. Through four seasons, the seventh round pick has appeared in 29 games with a total of 11 catches for 120 yards and no touchdowns. His rookie contract expires after this season.

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