Raiders cut all three players who went on COVID-19 reserve/opt-out list

On Monday, the Raiders made some roster moves. They waive LB Ukeme Eligwa and De Jeremia Valoaga and released DB DJ Killings.

If you’re wondering what they have in common, look no further than the COVID-19 reserve/opt-out list from 2020. They went on the list last year and now all three have been cut.

It’s hard not to see their release as being a direct response by the team to them opting out for last season. Especially considering they were the only players on the team to take that route.

Eligwa was a fifth-round pick by the Chiefs back in 2017. He lasted just one season in Kansas City and then spent ten games with the Giants in 2018. He was on the Jets practice squad for most of the 2019 season and was signed by the Raiders that December.

Valoaga entered the league as an undrafted free agent by the Lions. He played nine games for the Lions that in 2017, spent 2018 on the Dolphins practice squad, appeared in four games for the 49ers in 2019 before being waived and claimed by the Raiders late that season. He opted out for the 2020 season.

Killings has never appeared in an NFL game. He had spent time with the Colts and Packers before signing with the Raiders in May of 2019 and was on their injured reserve all that season.

The moves put the roster at 86 players.

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