Tyler Lockett Finds New Home in Las Vegas After Requesting Release from Titans
After a brief and underwhelming stint with the Tennessee Titans, veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett has found a new home with the Las Vegas Raiders. Lockett, 33, signed with the Raiders following a request for his release from the Titans, where he recorded only 10 receptions for 70 yards in seven games.
In his first comments since joining the Raiders, Lockett expressed excitement about reuniting with familiar faces in Las Vegas, particularly head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, with whom he shared many successful years in Seattle.
“Reuniting with Pete and Geno feels like coming home,” Lockett said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m excited to contribute to this team. The past few months have been a challenge, but I’m focused on doing whatever I can to help the Raiders succeed. I’ve always been about winning, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
Lockett brings with him a wealth of experience, including multiple 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowl selections. His leadership and proven ability to make big plays in critical moments will be vital for the Raiders as they look to turn their season around.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’ve always believed in myself,” Lockett continued. “I’m excited to get on the field, put my head down, and help make plays. I know the Raiders have a great group of guys, and I can’t wait to get started with them.”
Lockett's signing adds depth to the Raiders’ receiving corps, which has been inconsistent at times this season. With the Raiders’ playoff hopes on the line, Lockett's veteran presence and experience could be a key factor in their pursuit of a postseason berth.
“I’m just focused on helping the team,” Lockett said. “If I can make some big catches and help this offense move the ball, that’s what I’m going to do. We’ve got the talent, and I’m here to help put it all together.”
With the Raiders gearing up for their Week 9 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, all eyes will be on Lockett to see how quickly he can integrate into the offense and provide the boost the team needs.
Detroit Lions missing 3 players from practice, but get a handful of others back
ALLEN PARK -- In the first practice open to reporters after the bye week, the Detroit Lions were missing four players but got a handful of others back.
Those back at practice were safety Daniel Thomas, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, defensive back Avonte Maddox and running back Sione Vaki. Thomas (forearm) and Rodriguez (knee) had their 21-day return windows opened this week on the road to returning to action. Both defenders remain on injured lists and have the next two-plus weeks of practice to get activated.
Vaki has been out for the last month-plus, but the Lions hope to get him ready to go against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend. Maddox has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury. His return would boost the nickelback and safety depth.
The Lions also saw the return of safety Brian Branch from his suspension on Tuesday. Cornerback Terrion Arnold was back at practice as expected after returning for one session last week. Arnold has missed two games with his re-aggravated shoulder injury.
They were missing All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph (knee), running back Craig Reynolds (hamstring) and pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (undisclosed). Taylor Decker was not initially spotted by reporters during the open window. But the veteran left tackle was at Tuesday’s practice.
Decker is also expected back at practice to end the week, too. The Lions are off on Wednesday, so they plan to work him back into action after more time to rehab and get ready. Decker was back in the starting lineup before the bye week on Monday night after missing two straight games. At this point, he is no stranger to playing despite limited practice reps.
It’s not clear what’s going on with Muhammad. He wasn’t listed with an injury coming out of the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so we’ll know more when the team releases the official practice report later this afternoon.
Joseph didn’t play in the game heading into the bye week as the Lions tried to get him and his injured knee extra time to heal. The safety has been dealing with knee issues dating back to training camp, and his missed game against the Bucs was his lone absence of the campaign. Dan Campbell and Joseph were confident the bye week would do the safety a lot of good. Now, it’s just about getting him back on the practice field to see how he feels before Sunday.
The safety has three interceptions through seven games despite the lingering knee injury. Jim O’Neill, the team’s safeties coach and a defensive assistant, credited Joseph for the dedication he’s shown to work through the issue and try to get it right.
“He’s working coaches’ hours because he’s here early in the morning getting treatment,“ O’Neill said. ”He’s in the meeting rooms after getting treatment. He’s doing everything. I know last week he spent the whole week, you know, taking care of himself and doing some things out on his own.
“Just how he’s attacked it professionally, and how he’s helped some of the young guys that have come in, too ... But when he goes, I haven’t seen a drop. I think he’s been the same Kerby that we’re all used to seeing. I’m sure there are a few plays this year that he would like to have back. You know what I mean? But that’s with everybody.”
Reynolds (hamstring) and cornerback D.J. Reed were spotted working to the side with trainers. Reed still has one game left to serve for his minimum stay on injured reserve before he can return to practice.
