Raiders sign former Chargers’ defensive lineman Darius Philon

The Las Vegas Raiders finally signed one of Gus Bradley’s former players for the Los Angeles Chargers, but it’s not one we expected.

The Raiders announced on Monday that they have added defensive lineman Darius Philon. He is not a typical free agent signing because he hasn’t played in the NFL since 2018.

Philon played for Bradley in 2017-18 for the Chargers. He is the fifth defensive lineman the Raiders have signed in free agent, joining defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Dickerson (who was signed earlier on Monday) and defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas. Ngakoue played for Bradley in Jacksonville in 2017.

Philon was a good interior pass rusher and he has 9.5 career sacks. He was considered a good free-agent signing by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, but his career was derailed after he was arrested for as assault. He has been out of the league since but now he gets another chance with Bradley.

If Philon can regain his form, he can be a decent rotational player for the Raiders on their crowded defensive front,