Raiders waive LB Shilique Calhoun to get roster to 53
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Raiders waived 2016 third-round pick Shilique Calhoun and placed free-agent acquisition Jelani Jenkins on season-ending injured reserve Saturday as they trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit.
Undrafted rookie Nicholas Morrow out of Division III Greenville College made the team after an impressive training camp and preseason.
Calhoun, who was selected 75th overall out of Michigan State, never found a role in Oakland and became the highest pick in general manager Reggie McKenzie's six seasons with the team not to make the roster at the start of his second season.
Jenkins was the team's most prominent defensive free-agent acquisition this offseason, but he will be sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Linebacker remains a position of need for Oakland, with fifth-rounder Marquel Lee, Cory James and Tyrell Adams the top options to play alongside Bruce Irvin.
The Raiders also waived Ben Heeney, last year's season opening starter at inside linebacker, with a non-football injury.
Oakland kept safety Keith McGill (foot) and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland (leg) on the initial roster despite injuries that sidelined them in the preseason. Both likely will be placed on injured reserve this week but could return after eight weeks if they recover.
The Raiders kept eight of their drafted players, with seventh-round running back Elijah Hood the only one not to make the roster. He could be a candidate for the practice squad.
The other players cut were offensive linemen Kareem Are, Chauncey Briggs, Oni Omoile, Jordan Simmons and Ian Silberman; running backs George Atkinson III and John Crockett; defensive backs Breon Borders, Anthony Cioffi, Kenneth Durden, Chris Humes, Rickey Jefferson and Marcus McWilson; defensive linemen Paul Boyette, Fadol Brown, Branden Jackson and Rufus Johnson; receivers K.J. Brent, Keon Hatcher, Isaac Whitney and Ishmael Zamora; tight ends Pharaoh Brown, Gabe Holmes, Ryan O'Malley and Cooper Helfet; linebackers IK Enemkpali, Najee Harris, Brady Sheldon and Xavier Woodson-Luster; kicker Giorgio Tavecchio; and long snapper Andrew East.
Receiver Jaydon Mickens was also waived with an injury designation.
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