The Las Vegas Raiders are no strangers to turbulence this 2025 NFL season, grappling with a storm of challenges both on and off the field. From roster shake-ups to coaching conundrums, the Silver and Black have been navigating choppy waters since training camp. The sudden release of star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and the retirement of wide receiver Amari Cooper sent shockwaves through the fanbase before the season even kicked off. Adding fuel to the fire, wideout Jakobi Meyers’ trade request—sparked by the new front office’s refusal to extend his contract—further clouded the team’s outlook.
As the regular season unfolded, questions swirled around the handling of key players like rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson and running back Raheem Mostert, whose roles seemed underutilized in the opening weeks. The drama peaked just before the Week 5 clash against the Indianapolis Colts, when fans learned that starting linebacker Germaine Pratt would not travel with the team for unspecified non-injury reasons. Following a crushing 40-6 loss to the Colts, Pratt was abruptly released without explanation, leaving a gaping hole in the Raiders’ linebacker corps and a fanbase desperate for answers.
In the midst of this chaos, the Raiders’ front office made a pair of under-the-radar moves that could prove to be masterstrokes. On Wednesday, the team announced the addition of linebacker Jon Rhattigan to the 53-man roster, plucked from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, and the signing of former first-round pick Jamin Davis to their own practice squad. To make room for Davis, the Raiders parted ways with quarterback Jeff Driskel from the practice squad.
While Rhattigan’s signing is a nod to familiarity—his prior experience under head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle makes him a likely special teams contributor—his role may be limited, given his mere 20 defensive snaps across 53 career games. But it’s the addition of Jamin Davis that has Raiders fans buzzing with excitement. The 19th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Davis is a versatile linebacker with untapped potential, and his arrival in Las Vegas could be the low-risk, high-reward move the team desperately needs.
Davis, a 26-year-old linebacker with a knack for making plays, brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the Raiders’ defense. Over his four-year NFL career, he’s racked up an impressive stat line: 287 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and six passes defended across 54 games, including 36 starts. His ability to play both inside linebacker and edge rusher makes him a Swiss Army knife for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, whose track record of turning overlooked linebackers into impact players is well-documented.
Davis’ journey to Las Vegas has been a winding one. After a promising start with the Washington Commanders, where he showcased his athleticism and playmaking ability, he bounced between brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets. Despite his pedigree, Davis has yet to fully unlock his potential—a challenge that Graham and the Raiders’ defensive staff are eager to tackle. If history is any indication, Graham’s knack for developing unheralded talent could transform Davis into the next great linebacker for the Silver and Black.
The signing of Davis fits perfectly into the Raiders’ offseason strategy of targeting high-upside defensive players on low-risk deals. This approach has defined their roster-building philosophy under the new regime, and Davis represents the latest piece in that puzzle. With Pratt’s sudden departure leaving a void in the linebacker room, Davis’ addition is a timely opportunity to bolster a unit in need of stability and playmaking.
Raiders fans, battered by a season of disappointment, have reason to be cautiously optimistic. If Davis can harness his first-round talent under Graham’s guidance, he could become a cornerstone of the defense and a steal for a team in desperate need of a spark. For now, the former first-rounder is hiding in plain sight on the practice squad—but don’t be surprised if he’s soon making headlines on the field.