The Oakland Raiders announced on Tuesday that they re-signed safety Taylor Mays along with defensive lineman C.J. Wilson.
Bringing back Mays, who participated during the preseason with Oakland, comes on the heels of losing starting safeties Nate Allen to an MCL injury, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and Charles Woodson to a dislocated shoulder, per Dan Gartland of SI.com.
Head coach Jack Del Rio didn't seem too happy with the remaining secondary he had during the Raiders' Week 1 33-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, according to the Mercury News' Tim Kawakami:
Just a few weeks ago, Mays was a member of the Detroit Lions, but he asked to be released, per the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett. Detroit granted his request, and Mays signed with the Raiders a few days later.
The safety has been unable to live up to the hype surrounding him after coming out of USC as one of the nation's most dominant defensive backs. Mays has started just four games in the past four seasons, but Oakland needs as much help as it can get after giving up almost 400 yards to the Bengals.
According to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com, Mays and perennial backup Larry Asante could be Oakland's starting safeties come Week 2. Asante, in his sixth season in the NFL, would be making just the third start of his career.
Along with Mays, defensive tackle Wilson will make his return to Oakland to try to bolster a defensive line that allowed over 100 rushing yards to the Bengals. Wilson recorded 16 tackles and two sacks with the Raiders last season. In order to make room for Wilson, the Raiders released tight end Gabe Holmes.
It looks like a patchwork defense for a Raiders side that struggled mightily against Andy Dalton and the Bengals. It won't get much easier for Oakland as it takes on another AFC North side in the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567343-taylor-mays-re-signs-with-raiders-latest-contract-details-comments-reaction
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