Raiders News: Dillon Stoner to 53-man, DeSean Jackson and Henry Ruggs clear waivers

As many people anticipated, the Las Vegas Raiders have made - and didn’t make - some roster transactions at wide receiver today.

The team promoted undrafted free agent Dillon Stoner from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, bringing them up to four active wide receivers. Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia said in his press conference yesterday that Stoner and Javon Wims, who is still on Las Vegas’ practice squad, were the two options the coaching staff was looking at for the call-up.

The Oklahoma State product had an impressive five-year career down in Stillwater, totaling 191 catches for 2,378 yards and 17 touchdowns. This preseason, he caught five of nine targets for 91 yards and had nine returns for 93 total yards as a kick and punt returner. Stoner’s most-notable performance last August came in the team’s final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, where he hauled in three passes for 69 yards.

Raider Nation was also on waiver watch today as well.

As to be expected, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III officially cleared waivers after the team announced his release Tuesday evening, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

To replace Ruggs, many were expecting Las Vegas to make a move on veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson after he got released by the Los Angeles Rams. However, the team opted not to make a claim for Jackson and no other team did for that matter, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Los Angeles native cleared waivers.

Jackson’s contract was likely a deterrent for teams, and he’s now free to agree to a new one and sign with any other team, so the Silver and Black are not out of the running. The Raiders have shown interest in Jackson, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, and the team could really use his speed on the outside.

The Cal product has eight catches for 221 and a 75-yard touchdown, giving him an average of 27.6 yards per reception on the year. Rumors surrounding Jackson joining the Raiders have been around for years so maybe the timing is finally just right.

In other non-wide receiver related roster moves, linebacker Javin White was officially added to the practice squad. White returned from injured reserve and was released this week, so he cleared waivers and is now back with the team.