Defensive end Bruce Irvin leaving Oakland Raiders
Sunday 4 November 2018 09:54, UK
The Oakland Raiders and defensive end Bruce Irvin are parting ways in the team's latest move to cut ties with a veteran.
The Raiders informed Irvin on Saturday that he will be released, which will likely happen at the beginning of next week.
Irvin, 31, was a first-round draft pick by Seattle in 2012. He signed a four-year, $37m (£28.5m) contract with the Raiders in 2016 but saw his playing time diminish this season under new coach Jon Gruden.
He played just nine snaps in the Raiders' 34-3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. He played 24 snaps in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, also a loss.
In his two-and-a-half seasons with Oakland, Irvin appeared in 40 games and recorded 18 sacks and 11 forced fumbles. He had three sacks this season to lead the team.
He acknowledged his release on Twitter and thanked the Raiders for his time there.
"Thank you for your part in my journey..." he said.
"Specifically thank you to Owner Mark Davis, GM Reggie McKenzie, Coach Jon Gruden and the entire Raiders Organization.
"I will always cherish my experience with the Oakland Raiders. As the seasons change, so do our roles and I look forward to continuing my journey with the NFL!"
Once Irvin is released, he will be the second veteran to leave the Raiders in a week. Safety Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who also saw his playing time diminished, retired suddenly on Tuesday.
Rodgers-Cromartie's departure followed those of linebacker Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper, both of whom were traded.
Gruden said Friday that Irvin's role had diminished because the Raiders' defensive alignment often doesn't fit his skill set.
"Remember we're a 4-3 team, we're not a 3-4," he said. "So in the base defense, sometimes he doesn't fit the role that we need done. No disrespect to Bruce. He's an edge rusher. We haven't had a lead. We haven't had the opposition behind in the chains a lot, so his role has been reduced.
"I know he's frustrated. I'm frustrated. We'll try to solve that as soon as possible. He's a good player. He's a good player."
