Raiders RB is hanging up the cleats
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Las Vegas Raiders running back Theo Riddick has retired from the NFL.
Riddick spent the 2020 season with the Silver and Black as one of the four veterans on the expanded practice squad. He played in four games and had just 11 touches for 57 total yards a year ago, but was expected to compete for the third running back spot behind Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake during training camp this summer.
Instead, the former sixth-round pick will call it a career after six years with the Detroit Lions and a couple of brief stints with the Denver Broncos and Raiders. Always known as a receiving back, Riddick finishes with 294 carries for 1,037 yards and five rushing touchdowns, and 290 receptions for 2,281 yards and 14 scores through the air.
As for the impact on Las Vegas, this greatly increases Jalen Richard’s chances of making the 53-man roster. However, Richard remains on the COVID19 reserve list, which Riddick was on as well, so newly-signed running backs Darius Jackson and B.J. Emmons have a great opportunity to prove themselves to the coaching staff. With an open roster spot at the position, one would assume Jackson and Emmons are battling it out to stick around a little longer until Richard is cleared to participate.