Losing Johnathan Abram was a massive blow to the Raiders.
The rookie safety has an infectious energy the whole team fed off, and he was a key piece to what head coach Jon Gruden hoped would be a much-improved defense this season. The first-round draft pick was placed on injured reserve after tearing his rotator cuff during the Raiders' Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
The Raiders kept five safeties on their roster, and veterans Curtis Riley and Erik Harris are capable of stepping up in Abram's absence. Gruden even noted Wednesday that Dallin Leavitt could get an opportunity to play at some point.
Still, the Raiders reportedly worked out a few defensive backs in the wake of the injury, ESPN's Field Yates reported Thursday.
Following a season-ending injury to S Johnathan Abram, the Raiders tried out veteran DBs T.J. McDonald, Kentrell Brice, Juston Burris and Briean Boddy-Calhoun.— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 12, 2019
McDonald, 28, was cut by the Dolphins last month despite being one of the team's defensive leaders since arriving. The USC product spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams. He recorded three interceptions and 86 tackles in 14 games (all starts) last season.
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Brice, an undrafted rookie out of Lousiana Tech, played with the Green Bay Packers for the first three years of his career. In 14 games last season, he recorded 50 tackles and one sack.
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McDonald might be the most likely of the four to be signed, but the Raiders could decide they like the group they have currently.
The Raiders will face the Chiefs at Coliseum on Sunday.
