When the Las Vegas Raiders claimed defensive back Thomas Harper and defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers on Wednesday, the NFL team was forced to release two players on Tuesday who survived the major roster reduction from 90 players in the preseason to 53 players in the regular season.
In order to sign the two new players, the Raiders waived defensive back MJ Devonshire and defensive tackle Byron Young.
Young came to Las Vegas last season as a third-round draft pick from Alabama, but was not used much as a rookie.
Young appeared in six games and was on the field for 99 defensive actions and 13 special teams plays, recording four tackles in 2023.
During the Raiders’ three preseason games this month, Young played 83 defensive tackles, making three tackles and defending one pass.
In a 24-24 tie with the San Francisco 49ers in the final preseason game in Las Vegas on Friday night, Young was the starter for the Raiders and brought down quarterback Brandon Allen in the second quarter, resulting in a sack after failing to make a single one in his rookie season.
As a waiver, Young can be claimed by any NFL team before 3 p.m. CDT on Thursday. If he is not claimed, he will become a free agent.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
