Cornerback Ron Bartell has recovered from a broken shoulder blade and will start for the Raiders on Sunday. (US Presswire) |
The Raiders activated cornerback Ron Bartell from the NFL's new short-term injured reserve list and promoted running back Jeremy Stewart from the practice squad Saturday, the team announced.
To make room for Bartell and Stewart on the 53-man roster, the Raiders waived cornerback Pat Lee and placed cornerback Shawntae Spencer on season-ending injured reserve.
Bartell, who suffered a broken shoulder blade in the season-opener against San Diego, will start Sunday at right cornerback against Baltimore. He has turned in back-to-back impressive weeks of practice with no setbacks.
The Raiders signed Spencer, a former 49er, as a free agent during the offseason. He started the first two games at right cornerback but suffered a sprained right foot in Week 2 at Miami and hasn't played or practiced since then.
Lee started the past seven games, the first one at left corner against Miami and the next six at right cornerback.
The Raiders signed Lee as a free agent during the offseason. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him in the second round out of Auburn in 2008.
Lee had a disastrous starting debut against the Dolphins but had been improving before last week's game against Tampa Bay when he missed a tackle near the line of scrimmage on Doug Martin's 67-yard touchdown run.
Lee has 34 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and eight passes defensed. He also has three special teams tackles.
The Raiders kept four other backup corners over Lee: Joselio Hanson, Brandian Ross, Philip Adams and Coye Francies. Hanson, in his 12th NFL season, has established himself as the slot corner in nickel defense. Adams has a key role as the team's punt returner and has seen some time at corner off the bench. Francies can return kicks -- an important skill with RB/KR Mike Goodson out -- and is a special teams regular. Ross is primarily a special teamer, but he must have impressed the Raiders with his potential.
With starting running back Darren McFadden and Goodson, his backup, out with high ankle sprains, the Raiders promoted Stewart to add depth at the position. The rookie from Stanford, who ran for nine touchdowns last season, can also help on special teams.
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.