Report: Raiders decide to bring back running back Marshawn Lynch

Though nothing concrete indicated Marshawn Lynch wouldn't return to the Raiders for next season, some speculated the running back as a potential cut under Jon Gruden given his contract carries no dead money against the cap, among other reasons.

Well, Lynch will be a Raider in 2018, and a telling sign will kick in Sunday. According to NFL Network, Lynch will receive his $1 million roster bonus previously scheduled to come March 18. As his head coach has expressed desire for before, Lynch will be the feature back in Oakland's offense during Year 1 under Gruden.

'Looking at the film in a game that I broadcasted on Christmas night, there's no question he's still a beast,' Gruden said at the NFL Combine last month. 'He's hard to bring down. One of the reason's I'm excited to be with the Raiders is to join forces with Lynch. But, we'll see what happens. Obviously, we have to take a look at the entire roster, but I'm counting on him. I'm counting on him being a big part of our football team.'

The Raiders signed veteran running back Doug Martin on Thursday, meaning Oakland's running backs corps currently consists of Lynch, Martin, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Martin figures to be the No. 2 behind Lynch, who is coming off a second half of 2017 that placed him among the most effective running backs in the NFL.

From weeks 9-14, Lynch ran for five touchdowns in five games. Twice he amassed over 100 yards on the season, in Weeks 13 and 17. For the first half of the season, Lynch was largely ineffective, then he earned a one-game suspension after charging off the sideline and shoving a referee against the Chiefs in Week 7. The veteran turned his whole season around upon his return to the field, potentially altering the outlook on his future in Oakland.

Now, for sure this time, No. 24 will be back in a Raiders uniform, if anyone still had any doubts.

RAIDERS ADD MORE FREE AGENTS

The Raiders signed free agent linebacker Kyle Wilber to provide depth and special teams help.

The Raiders also announced Saturday they signed defensive lineman Tank Carradine, who revealed his decision to join the Raiders a day earlier.

Wilber played 89 games in six seasons with Dallas, recording 104 tackles, 3½ sacks, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

He played all 16 games last season with four tackles on defense and 10 on special teams under coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who now holds the same job in Oakland.

Carradine played 44 games over four seasons with the 49ers, getting 5½ sacks.