Raiders sign DL Olsen Pierre, TE Eric Tomlinson, and call up CB Nick Nelson from practice squad

After declaring that he’s make big changes to the defense on Monday, Jon Gruden and the Raiders made multiple roster cuts that left the team with only 50 active players on Tuesday. Today, the Raiders filled those open spots by signing DL Olsen Pierre and TE Eric Tomlinson while calling up CB Nick Nelson from the practice squad.

Additionally, the Raiders have re-added TE Paul Butler, LB Te’Von Coney and OL Kyle Kalis to the practice squad, releasing TE Cole Wick in the process.

Surprisingly enough, the Raiders didn’t add a safety after dropping starter D.J. Swearinger. According to Gruden, they’ll finally give Dallin Leavitt some time at safety and work in Daryl Worley on the backend as well.

If Worley is asked to play some safety, we will see more of rookies Isaiah Johnson and Keisean Nixon at cornerback.

When asked why not simply slide Lamarcus Joyner back to safety given his experience with the position at a high level, the head coach suggested that he wasn’t considering it because a move of sorts would force the Raiders to find a new starting nickel corner.

In addition to announcing the roster moves, Gruden made sure to downplay news from earlier today that Josh Jacobs will play on Sunday. He suggested that while Jacobs has been cleared to practice, that “doesn’t mean he will or that he will play.”

Suffice to say Jacobs’ progress will be worth monitoring over the next few days. This cautious approach should be welcomed considering that the Raiders have been all but eliminated from playoff contention.