D.J. Fluker Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders sign former first-round pick

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 12/11/23

The Las Vegas Raiders are giving D.J. Fluker another opportunity to prove he can still play in the NFL.

Fluker signed with the Raiders on Monday. His agent told Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz that Fluker has lost 50 pounds and is in excellent physical condition.

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

The Raiders have been without starting left tackle Kolton Miller, who is dealing with a shoulder injury. They hosted Fluker for a workout last week and were apparently impressed with what they saw.

Fluker has not played since he was with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. The Raiders signed him to their practice squad midway through the 2021 season, but he was released a short while later. He also spent a few days on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad the same year.

Fluker was drafted by the then-San Diego Chargers with the 11th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The former Alabama star received All-Rookie honors that season and spent four seasons with the Chargers. He then had brief stints with the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks before landing in Baltimore.

It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old Fluker can still contribute, but the 5-8 Raiders do not have much to lose.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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