Raiders place Sebastian Janikowski on injured reserve, activate Giorgio Tavecchio

Surprise! Not only will Sebastian Janikowski not be playing in the Raiders’ season opener against the Titans, but he won’t be playing for at least the first 8 games of this season and potentially longer as he has been placed on injured reserve.

Janikowski was suffering with back issues coming into this week, prompting the team to sign Giorgio Tavecchio to the practice squad and he made the trip to Tennessee as a potential replacement should ‘Seabass’ not be able to go.

The team took it right up to the deadline and made the decision to shut Janikowski down and sign Tavecchio to the active roster.

Tavecchio has spent time with the Raiders in the each of the last four preseasons, and has connected on a combined 9-of-11 field goal attempts in preseason action including missing a 36-yarder and an extra point this preseason.

The former Cal Bear had stints in training camp with the San Francisco 49ers (2012), Green Bay Packers (2013) and Lions (2014) prior to joining the Raiders in 2014.

The left-footed Italian played in 46 games at Cal and finished his career with 256 points, ranking fifth on the school’s all-time scoring list and fourth among kickers. He converted 48-of-64 (75 percent) field goal attempts.

This is the final season on Janikowski’s contract which means if he doesn’t return this season, his Raiders career could be over after 17 seasons.