Raiders elevate WR Rico Gafford from practice squad, waive OL Erik Magnuson

With Hunter Renfrow out for the foreseeable future with a broken rib and punctured lung, the Raiders have elected to elevate speedy WR Rico Gafford from the practice squad.

The 23-year-old is a former University of Wyoming CB who the Raiders decided to convert to the offensive end to take advantage of his speed. He will likely find himself grabbing some playing time at the Z receiver spot with the Raiders moving Zay Jones into more of a flanker role.

In a corresponding move, the Raiders have waived OL Erik Magnuson, who was signed off the Bill’s practice squad on Oct. 30 to provide versatile depth. Waiving Magnuson is telling, because it suggests that the Raiders may believe Renfrow could come back this season and have elected not to place him on IR for the time being.

The offense clearly needs a kick in the pants after an abysmal showing against the Jets. Perhaps Gafford’s speed could be unleashed on a deep play action strike or two.