Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders

With a critical divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers looming, the Las Vegas Raiders announced a series of targeted roster moves this week—designed to address late-season injuries, shore up positional depth, and optimize the team’s lineup for a game that could keep their playoff hopes alive. The moves, posted on the NFL’s transaction wire and the Raiders’ official website, span the offense, defense, and special teams, reflecting a holistic approach to fixing vulnerabilities exposed in recent losses to the Chiefs and Broncos. From promoting practice squad players to signing veteran free agents, each transaction is tailored to counter the Chargers’ strengths—namely their high-powered passing attack and aggressive edge rush. Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down the key adjustments, their strategic rationale, and how they’ll shape the Raiders’ game plan against their AFC West rivals.

Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders first focuses on the most pressing defensive adjustment: signing veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson to a one-year, $2.8 million deal to bolster the secondary. The move comes after starting cornerback Amik Robertson suffered a groin injury in Week 16, leaving the Raiders thin at a position tasked with covering Chargers star wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Peterson, a 12-year NFL veteran with 34 career interceptions, brings both experience and versatility—he can play both outside corner and nickelback, allowing the Raiders to shift formations without sacrificing talent. Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler emphasized Peterson’s fit in the defense: “Patrick has played against the best receivers in the league for over a decade. He knows how to read routes, anticipate plays, and shut down top targets—exactly what we need against Allen and Williams. His leadership in the locker room will also help our younger corners stay focused in a high-pressure game.” In his first practice with the Raiders, Peterson lined up against Allen in scout team drills, giving the defense a preview of what to expect on game day.

Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders next delves into the Raiders’ offensive line adjustments, which aim to counter the Chargers’ fearsome edge rush led by defensive end Joey Bosa. The Raiders promoted offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor from the practice squad to the active roster and signed veteran guard Shaq Mason to a reserve/future contract—moves prompted by injuries to right tackle Kolton Miller (ankle) and left guard Dylan Parham (knee). Eluemunor, who started 10 games for the Raiders in 2023, will slide into the right tackle spot, where he’ll likely face Bosa for much of the game. Mason, a two-time Pro Bowler, will serve as a backup but could see snaps in short-yardage situations, thanks to his strength in run blocking. Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo noted the importance of these moves: “The Chargers’ pass rush is one of the best in the league—Bosa alone has 11 sacks this season. We need guys who can handle that pressure, and Jermaine has proven he can hold his own against top edge rushers. Shaq adds depth and experience, which is crucial if we have any more injuries during the game.” Film from Eluemunor’s 2023 starts shows he allowed just 3 sacks in 10 games, including a standout performance against Bosa where he held the Chargers pass rusher to zero quarterback hits.

Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders also spotlights the Raiders’ special teams adjustment: promoting punt returner Tre Tucker from the practice squad to the active roster. The move comes after punt returner Ameer Abdullah fumbled twice in the past three games, including a critical turnover that led to a Chiefs touchdown in Week 15. Tucker, a rookie fifth-round pick, impressed in training camp with his speed (4.39 40-yard dash) and ball security—he didn’t fumble once in preseason or practice squad games. For the Las Vegas Raiders, special teams stability is essential against the Chargers, who rank 5th in the NFL in special teams scoring. “Turnovers on special teams can cost you a game, especially against a divisional rival,” special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said. “Tre has shown he can make plays without putting the ball at risk. His speed also gives us a chance to flip field position, which is key when you’re facing an offense that can score quickly.” Tucker will also contribute on kickoff coverage, where his speed can help the Raiders limit Chargers returner Andre Roberts, who averages 24.1 yards per kickoff return.

Another layer of Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders is the team’s decision to place running back Josh Jacobs on injured reserve (IR) and promote rookie running back Zamir White from the practice squad. Jacobs, who leads the Raiders with 890 rushing yards this season, suffered a knee injury in Week 16 and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. White, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has spent most of the season on the practice squad but saw limited action in three games, rushing for 45 yards on 12 carries. While White lacks Jacobs’ experience, he brings a similar physical running style—he averages 3.8 yards per carry and excels in between-the-tackles rushing, which the Raiders will need to keep the Chargers’ defense off balance. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this move is about maintaining a consistent run game, which has been a staple of their offense all season (they rank 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game). “Zamir has worked hard all season, even when he wasn’t getting snaps,” running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu said. “He’s a physical runner who can handle the workload, and he’s learned a lot from Josh. We’re confident he can step in and keep our run game moving against the Chargers.”

Roster Moves Announced Ahead of Chargers Game for the Las Vegas Raiders closes with the broader impact of these moves on the Raiders’ playoff hopes and team morale. Currently holding a 7-8 record, the Raiders need a win over the Chargers to stay in contention for a wildcard spot—making these roster adjustments not just tactical, but existential. The addition of Peterson and Mason brings veteran leadership to a team that has struggled with consistency, while the promotion of Tucker and White gives young players a chance to prove themselves. Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels emphasized that these moves are about more than just one game: “Every roster move we make is about putting our team in the best position to win, both now and in the future. Patrick and Shaq bring experience that our younger players can learn from, and Tre and Zamir have earned the opportunity to contribute. This is a team effort, and everyone—veterans and rookies alike—has a role to play on Sunday.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, these roster moves represent a final push to keep their season alive—a mix of proven talent and emerging potential that could be just enough to outlast the Chargers. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on how these new additions integrate into the lineup, and whether they can help the Raiders take one step closer to the playoffs.