Raiders update: Vic Beasley activated for Sunday’s game at Jets

UPDATE: The Raiders activated Vic Beasley from the practice squad on Saturday and he is expected play Sunday at the New York Jets.

Two days after he made it sound like newly signed Vic Beasley may still need some time on the practice squad, Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden said the former NFL sack leader may make his debut with the team Sunday at the New York Jets.

“Perhaps Vic Beasley can play this week,” Gruden said Friday. “We’re going to go take a good look at our options, but Beasley has had a good week. He’s seemed to pick up our system fast.”

Gruden said this about Beasley on Wednesday:

“We think there is upside there but we got to get best out of Beasley. He’s got to get in great shape, he’s got to get himself 100% healthy and invested, and then we’ll see where it goes.”

Apparently, it is going well — and quickly.

The Raiders signed Beasley to their practice squad last week. He was cut by the Tennessee Titans earlier in the season after he was a big disappointment there. He had no sacks with the Titans. Beasley, the No. 8 overall draft pick in 2015, led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2016, but his production waned after that season.

The Raiders badly need a pass-rush boost. Thursday, Las Vegas defensive coordinator Paul Guenther was excited about Beasley.

“He’s got really good first step quickness,” Guenther said. “He’s really smart, he’s picked up the playbook. He adds some speed to our front, and he doesn’t say a lot. He’s a very coachable guy, so he’s been pleasure to add and hopefully we get him up here in short order.”