(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders may be realistically out of the running for an AFC playoff spot with a 5-8 record, but they’re looking to take steps toward being competitive next season.
They suffered an embarrassing loss on Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings in which they were held scoreless, and it was perhaps the ugliest game anyone could remember seeing, as Minnesota only scored three points themselves.
Las Vegas’ offense has been very poor this year, but they’re making an addition that could help a bit.
Per Jordan Schultz, they’re adding D.J. Fluker, an offensive lineman who has been out of football for the last couple of years.
Comeback complete: Free agent OL DJ Fluker is signing with the #Raiders following last week’s workout, his agent @DerykGilmore tells me.
The former 1st-round pick has lost about 50 pounds and is in the best shape of his life. pic.twitter.com/4ba6hqBbtX
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 11, 2023
In college, Fluker was a star at the University of Alabama and won two national championships, as well as All-American and All-SEC honors.
He was regarded as an impressive athletic specimen, so much so that the then-San Diego Chargers took him with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
While he was named to the All-Rookie team in 2013, he has never been named to the Pro Bowl.
After being released by the Chargers following the 2016 season, Fluker played for the New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and the Baltimore Ravens, but the injuries started to pile up for him.
After signing with the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2021 campaign, he tore his meniscus, and he hasn’t played in a game since.
The Raiders have been plagued by poor quarterback play this year — veteran Jimmy Garoppolo was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell earlier in the season — and perhaps some improved pass protection would help.
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