ARLINGTON, Tex. – The Raiders activated left tackle Jared Veldheer off injured reserve with a designation to return on Wednesday afternoon.
The transaction was an expected, required move in advance of a season debut to be made Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Veldheer has been out recovering from triceps surgery. He practiced the past two weeks and was fully cleared to play against the Cowboys. He’ll start at left tackle, and Khalif Barnes should slide to left guard over struggling youngster Lucas Nix. The additions will help form the Raiders’ healthiest, most experienced offensive line of the season.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Wilson was cut in a corresponding move. That was somewhat surprising, considering the Raiders now have 10 offensive linemen on the 53-man roster.
Exposing Wilson to waivers is a moderate risk, although the fourth-round pick cleared them early this season after a dismal preseason. The Raiders signed Wilson to the practice squad, and hope to do so again if he goes unclaimed.
Terrelle Pryor will be the lone backup to starting quarterback Matt McGloin. That isn’t a shock, given the team has carried two quarterbacks most of the season.
