Raiders sign D.J. Swearinger in wake of Karl Joseph injury

With Karl Joseph expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time after taking a hard fall during his game-sealing interception, the Raiders have elected to sign D.J. Swearinger.

Swearinger was brought in for a workout on Nov. 4 and apparently impressed enough to warrant an emergency signing.

With word that Joseph’s injury may be “significant,” the Raiders may be relying on the newcomer quickly. Luckily for them, he’s quite experienced, having started for four different NFL teams since being drafted No. 57 overall in 2013 by the Houston Texans.

Swearinger started the 2019 season with the Arizona Cardinals, playing in every defensive snap of the first four games before being released. He’s a rough and tumble player on and off the field, having been cut from the Redskins after making critical comments about the team’s defensive coordinator Greg Manusky on Dec. 24, 2018.

With Joseph out, Erik Harris will be relied on in a much greater capacity. He was absolutely sensational on Thursday night, setting the tone for a Raiders win with a pair of first quarter interceptions.

With Johnathan Abram out for the year, Joseph dealing with injuries and LaMarcus Joyner possibly out as well, the Raiders’ safety position looks perilously thin at the moment. Curtis Riley will likely get the first crack at the starting spot, and Dallin Leavitt might even get a shot. But with nine days until a home bout with the Bengals, Swearinger had better be ready to play meaningful snaps.