Raiders' cuts suggests more moves still to come

ALAMEDA — Veteran defensive end Andre Carter and starting left guard Tony Bergstrom were the most notable casualties as the Raiders trimmed 22 players from their roster Saturday to reach the NFL minimum of 53.

Carter, a 13-year veteran whom the Raiders signed as a situational pass rusher, was struggling in that role in the preseason and was released. Bergstrom, who had what coach Dennis Allen called a "significant" foot injury, was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

The makeup of the roster suggests there could be more transactions as the personnel department sifts through available free agents and checks the waiver wire.

As it stands, the Raiders are carrying two punters and four quarterbacks. Veteran punter Chris Kluwe and first-year player Marquette King remain on the roster, with the Raiders probably hoping to get a draft choice from a team strapped at that position.

At quarterback, the play of undrafted Matt McGloin out of Penn State earned him a roster spot, and the Raiders apparently were reluctant to waive fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson and get nothing in return. McGloin moved ahead of Wilson on the depth chart early in camp.

Players released along with Carter were linebacker Omar Gaither, cornerback Joselio Hanson, tackle Tony Hills and safety Reggie Smith. All are free to sign with other teams.

The Raiders waived 15 players who can be claimed by other teams: defensive lineman Ryan Baker, defensive end David Bass, linebacker Billy Boyko, cornerback Chance Casey, guard Jason Foster, tight end Richard Gordon, wide receiver Greg Jenkins, safety Shelton Johnson, tight end Brian Leonhardt, guard Lamar Mady, place kicker Justin Medlock, defensive tackle Kurt Tauafa'asau, linebacker Chase Thomas, wide receiver Connor Vernon and running back Deonte' Williams.

Offensive tackle Willie Smith was waived injured and wide receiver Andre Holmes is off the roster as he serves a four-game suspension for violating the league policy on performance enhancing drugs.

The Raiders can begin assembling an eight-man practice squad Sunday with players who have less than six games of NFL experience, and it could include some that they let go.

Another roster spot could come available Tuesday if the Raiders place left tackle Jared Veldheer on injured reserve but designated for return. Veldheer, who had surgery to repair a torn left triceps, would be eligible to return after seven games.

With Veldheer out and Bergstrom on injured reserve, the Raiders have only seven healthy offensive linemen -- center Stefen Wisniewski, guards Lucas Nix, Mike Brisiel and Andre Gurode and tackles Menelik Watson, Khalif Barnes and Alex Barron.

Bass, who had a sack and a forced fumble in the preseason, was the only draft pick who was waived. He was the Raiders last pick and would be a practice squad candidate if he clear waivers. Ryan Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive from Oklahoma State, made the roster as an undrafted free agent.

Tight end Jeron Mastrud won out over Richard Gordon at tight end and could start the opener at Indianapolis if David Ausberry is not recovered from a shoulder injury.

Linebacker Kaelin Burnett made the roster, joining his brother Kevin, who is a starting linebacker.

Taiwan Jones, who made the team as a running back the last two seasons, stuck as a cornerback in 2013. Jones is still developing at his new position but is one of the team's top tacklers in kick coverage.