Raiders release former NC State great linebacker after four games

Jeff Hauser

Raiders release former NC State great linebacker after four games image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have released linebacker Germaine Pratt after he did not travel with the team for Sunday’s 40-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, coach Pete Carroll announced Monday.

Carroll said the decision came as the organization chose to “go in a different direction.” Pratt, who signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with Las Vegas in June, appeared in four games this season. He totaled 25 tackles and four run stuffs while rotating at weakside linebacker alongside Jamal Adams and Devin White.

A standout in pass coverage, Pratt allowed just 74 yards and a 70.7 passer rating on 13 targets this season. His departure opens about $1 million in cap space for the Raiders, who already held roughly $7.6 million available prior to the move.

Pratt joined Las Vegas after six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he helped the franchise capture back-to-back AFC North titles and reach consecutive AFC Championship Games in 2021 and 2022.

The former NC State standout has played in 96 career games with 88 starts, amassing 616 tackles, 23 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and seven interceptions. Pratt is now a free agent and will look for a new team to continue his NFL career.

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.