LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Raiders had their original 53-man roster back at practice on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, some got the call that they were being fired or released, but the players who made it through said it was business as usual.
““I didn’t find out until I got to the building,” Raiders wide receiver Tyreik McAllister said. “I was waiting because that’s the kind of call you get. I never got a call or a text from anybody. I knew we had a meeting at 1 p.m. today, so I thought I’d just go to the building. I still wasn’t sure if I was going to be on the 53 because we have so many great players. I was still confident in my game and that I was going to have a job in the NFL.”
“I found out like everyone else on Instagram and social media,” Raiders linebacker Amari Gaines said. “A lot of people were texting me and asking questions and not getting an answer. It was cool to find out today that I can help this team succeed and win.”
Both Gainer, a non-drafted rookie, and McAllister made compelling arguments to stay with the Raiders this preseason, especially in the final game against the 49ers.
Gainer made 12 tackles while McAllister scored two touchdowns, one on a pass reception and one on a punt return.
Making the NFL roster is quite an accomplishment, and McAllister says he took it all in before starting his enlistment.
““I called my mom and she was so excited,” McAllister said. “She almost cried. I think she cried when she hung up. I called my mom and then my dad because they know how hard I’ve worked and how hard I’ve been through to get here.”
The Raiders will open the season on the road on September 8th when the team travels to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.
