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Oakland Raiders sign Richie Incognito to one-year deal

Richie Incognito pictured in 2016 during his time with the Buffalo Bills
Image: Richie Incognito pictured in 2016 during his time with the Buffalo Bills

The Oakland Raiders agreed to a one-year deal with troubled guard Richie Incognito on Tuesday.

Incognito's agent, Ken Sarnoff, tweeted confirmation of the deal , congratulating his client for his return to the NFL after sitting out last season in retirement. The team announced the deal shortly after.

The 35-year-old Incognito has played 11 years in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl four times, and immediately becomes the leading contender to start at left guard in Oakland.

Incognito's career has been dogged by controversy
Image: Incognito's career has been dogged by controversy

But he has also been suspended for bullying; he allegedly made racist slurs to an opponent during a playoff game in January 2018; and he has had two run-ins with police since he retired following the 2017 season.

Incognito pleaded guilty last month to disorderly conduct in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being accused of threatening employees at a funeral home where his father's body was being held.

He could face suspension from the NFL over those last three incidents.

Incognito replaces Kelechi Osemele who has been traded to the New York Jets
Image: Incognito replaces Kelechi Osemele who has been traded to the New York Jets

Incognito fills a big hole on Oakland's offensive line after Kelechi Osemele was traded to the New York Jets in the offseason. Denzelle Good had been working at left guard, but the Raiders wanted a more proven option and began talking with Incognito earlier this offseason.

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In his final game before retirement, Incognito was accused by Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue of making racist slurs during the Jaguars' 10-3 win over Buffalo in an AFC wild-card playoff game. The NFL looked into the charges but never announced a decision on any punishment. Ngakoue said he and Incognito cleared the air after they were AFC team-mates at the Pro Bowl later that month.

In May 2018, police in South Florida placed Incognito in a mental hospital after he allegedly threw weights and tennis balls at gym employees and another patron, and told officers the government was spying on him.

Incognito was arrested in August 2018 in Arizona on charges he threatened to shoot employees of a funeral home. A police report showed officers later executed a search warrant on Incognito's pickup truck and seized two Glocks, three rifles, and a silencer for a handgun.

He pleaded to disorderly conduct in that case in April.

Incognito was suspended for bullying Jonathan Martin who quit the Dolphins as a result
Image: Incognito was suspended for bullying Jonathan Martin who quit the Dolphins as a result

Incognito also was suspended for the final eight games of the 2013 season, when the Dolphins were thrust into the national spotlight after Jonathan Martin abruptly quit the team amid accusations he was being bullied. An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other Dolphins offensive linemen persistently harassed Martin.

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