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UPDATE (1:45 p.m. on Saturday) -- The Raiders officially placed Tarell Brown on injured reserve, signing linebacker Spencer Hadley from the team's practice squad.
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Tarell Brown did an admirable job managing a foot injury that’s bothered him the last three weeks, but the Raiders are placing the cornerback on season-ending injured reserve. Sources confirmed that fact to CSNCalifornia.com on Saturday. CSN reporter Fallon Smith first reported the news.
After missing all three practices this week, Brown was officially ruled out of the Raiders' weekend showdown with the Buffalo Bills on Friday. The season has roughly a week remaining, so virtually any injury could put a player on the shelf, but the Raiders decided that Brown had no chance to return.
The corresponding move has not yet been announced. The Raiders could use linebacker depth -- they have just four on the 53-man roster -- but no viable candidates. Linebackers Spencer Hadley has been playing fullback for some time. They could add a receiver with Vincent Brown and Denarius Moore ruled out of Sunday's game.
[RELATED: Raiders injury report]
Brown was a leader by example, a player who played hurt and found a pay to perform well on Sundays despite injury.
“Tarell has been one of the toughest competitors we have,” interim head coach Tony Sparano said after Brown was ruled out. “He’s grinded through some things but, this week, we just couldn’t get him ready in time.”
Brown, 29, has 47 tackles and four passes defended this year, starting all 14 games for the Raiders this season. He was the only Oakland cornerback to appear in all 14 games.
The Raiders will play Sunday without their No. 1 cornerback, and possibly a few others in that position group. Chimdi Chekwa was ruled out with a hamstring injury, and D.J. Hayden is questionable with a back problem. Hayden is expected to play, leaving he and rookie TJ Carrie to cover receivers in the base defense.
