Germaine Pratt’s time with the Las Vegas Raiders has abruptly ended. The veteran linebacker was released by the team, according to head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll stated that the organization decided to move in a different direction regarding their roster plans.
Details of Germaine Pratt’s Release
Pratt, who is 29 years old, did not participate in the Raiders’ Week 5 game despite being healthy. Reports indicate that his status had declined, as he was already considered a candidate for release based on his previous stint with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Career Overview
- Pratt played six seasons with the Bengals prior to joining the Raiders.
- He was drafted in the third round and accumulated a total of 100 appearances, with 92 starts.
- In September, he recorded 25 tackles and two pass deflections.
After being let go by Cincinnati, Pratt signed a one-year contract with the Raiders that included $3.75 million in guarantees. Following his release, the Raiders will incur a dead money charge equivalent to that amount. The team’s decision to release Pratt will create over $1 million in salary cap space, contributing to their existing funds of approximately $7.6 million.
Future Implications for the Raiders
The Raiders now face the challenge of filling Pratt’s position on the roster. It remains to be seen whether they will seek a free agent or consider a trade acquisition to strengthen their linebacker corps. Should they decide against external options, the team will rely on their internal resources to cover the loss.
Despite his recent inactivity, Pratt was a key player for the Raiders, starting in all four of their opening games and logging an impressive 88% of the snaps. This substantial workload will be difficult to replace, especially given the timing of the release.
Germaine Pratt’s Next Steps
With his release from the Raiders, Pratt has become a free agent once again. He now has the opportunity to offer his considerable experience to any interested teams. Future prospects may involve a backup role, but he will likely seek to secure a contract that allows him to continue playing beyond the current season.
