The Raiders are signing veteran safety D.J. Swearinger, a source said Friday afternoon. The import comes after the seventh-year pro worked out for the Silver and Black earlier in the week.
This isn't a luxury signing. It's a necessity after starting strong safety Karl Joseph got hurt in Thursday's 26-24 victory over the L.A. Chargers at Oakland Coliseum. He sealed victory with a leaping interception late in the fourth quarter, and got entangled with Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, and got his lower leg rolled in the process. It is believed to be his foot that's hurt, though the team hasn't given a formal diagnosis.
He was scheduled for further testing on Friday. There's nothing definitive about his status this season, though the Raiders are concerned that his injury is significant that he could miss extended time and possibly the rest of the season. Again, nothing is set at this point but the Raiders are preparing for bad news.
Swearinger could come in and contribute quickly, considering the state of the safety position. The Raiders lost Johnathan Abram in the season opener, and inserted Curtis Riley into the starting lineup for Week 2. Erik Harris replaced him due to ineffectiveness, and it's hard to imagine the Raiders consider him a permanent solution at this point.
Swearinger has an NFL track record. He has 70 starts in 94 professional games while playing for Houston, Arizona and Washington. He played for Raiders head coach Jon Gruden's brother Jay in Washington in 2017 and '18.
He opened this season with Arizona but was cut after four games.
Swearinger had 14 career interceptions, nine forced fumbles and 40 passes defensed. He has experience playing free safety and strong safety, which is a plus considering the Raiders safeties are at times interchangeable.
