
Since rookie safety Johnathan Abram injured his shoulder in his NFL debut in Week 1, the Raiders have searched for the right mix in their secondary.
The Silver and Black reportedly tried to fill (part of) that void Monday. The Raiders brought in veteran safety D.J. Swearinger for a workout, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
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Rapoport later reported that Treston Decoud joined Swearinger in the Oakland workout.
The Arizona Cardinals cut Swearinger in September after four games in which he struggled. Pro Football Focus found Swearinger allowed a passer rating of 145.3 this season, less than a year after Swearinger graded out as one of the NFL's best safeties. Washington released Swearinger late last season after criticism of defensive coordinator Greg Manusky proved to be the last straw.
Swearinger's coach at the time was Jay Gruden, brother of Raiders coach Jon Gruden. The younger Gruden no longer is with Washington after being fired this season, so whatever hard feelings there were seem to have dissipated enough if Gruden's brother was going to explore bringing in Swearinger for a workout, let alone signing him. Plus, the Raiders reportedly tried to claim him off waivers when Washington first cut Swearinger last season.
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The 2013 second-round draft pick certainly would improve the Raiders' depth at safety, and Oakland has been no stranger to signing talented reclamation projects in Gruden's second tenure at the helm. Safeties Erik Harris and Karl Joseph played 100 percent of the Raiders' defensive snaps Sunday, while Lamarcus Joyner's versatility will keep him on the field, too. So, it's not apparent that Swearinger would be anything more than a depth piece.
Of course, the Raiders didn't expect to be without Abram for the vast majority of his rookie season, either. It doesn't hurt to be prepared, and Swearinger's pedigree could make him a strong depth option.