Raiders make deal with Seattle as they trim roster to 53

Taiwan Jones made it through the Raiders’ final cuts. Many others did not.

The Oakland Raiders announced 18 cuts from the 75 man roster, trimming things down to 53 men, as well as two injury designations and a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Safety Dewey McDonald will pack for the Pacific Northwest in exchange for a 2017 conditional draft pick, and linebackers Neiron Ball and James Cowser were waived with an injury designation. That means the two will be subject to waivers, and if they clear, can be placed on injured reserve or agree to receive an injury settlement.

Oakland released the following players:

Running back George Atkinson III, defensive linemen Derrick Lott, Branden Jackson, Greg Townsend Jr., receivers Jaydon Mickens, K.J. Brent and Marvin Hall,, tight ends Ryan O’Malley and Jake McGee, guards Oni Omoile, Denver Kirkland and Mitch Bell. defensive backs Neiko Thorpe and Kenneth Durden, and linebackers Korey Toomer, Kyrie Wilson, John Lotulelei.

Jones highlights a list of players who could be involved in transactions over the following days, as teams continue to tweak their rosters ahead of opening day.

Antonio Hamilton, Brynden Trawick, Darius Latham and guard Vadal Alexandar could also be used as trade bait or simply waived in order to keep the roster at 53 men.

The Raiders have a clear need at running back, still, and though the waiver wire is thin currently, it wouldn’t be shocking to witness Oakland offering up something in exchange for another teams second or third string tailback.

Jason Leskiw is SFBay’s Oakland Raiders beat writer and member of the Professional Football Writers of America. Follow @SFBay and @LeskiwSFBay on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Raiders football.