Gruden delivers on promise as Raiders make ‘big changes’ before home finale

On Monday, Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden promised “big changes.” The organization delivered just a day later.

It came in the form of cutting three veterans—all of whom had been brought in within the last couple months.

Of the veterans who’d been brought in recently, D.J. Swearinger had seen the field far more than Preston Brown or Terrell McClain. Brown earned his first tackle as a Raider on Sunday. McClain, similarly recorded three tackles spread out over two games, since joining the Raiders.

Gruden has said he was happy with some of the veteran players brought in to the team this year. None of us knew that meant he was unhappy with most of them.

Dion Jordan remains the lone veteran defensive player signed in the second half of the season to remain with the team through Tuesday. Odds are, his spot on the team is secure, for now.

Meanwhile, adding Rob Smith at running back is about depth as much as anything. Rookie Josh Jacobs was, of course, unable to play on Sunday, and his status remains up in the air for this Sunday and the remainder of the season.

More than likely Smith will only get carries if Deandre Washington or Jalen Richard were to get hurt. But it’s also an indictment on the lack of depth that forced the Raiders to feature fullback Alec Ingold in the backfield on occasion Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

The sixth-year pro out of Ohio State has played for the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and briefly this season for the Tennessee Titans. He has 101 carries and five touchdowns on the ground in his career, with almost as many yards receiving as rushing, and a touchdown through the air.

He might take some of Jalen Richard’s passing situation reps, so Richard can focus on more of a traditional running back role.