Raiders sign former Steelers TE Jesse James to practice squad

The Las Vegas Raiders (4-5) have signed tight end Jesse James to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday.

James, 29, hasn’t played this season since being released by the New Orleans Saints as part of the team’s final roster cuts in August. He suited up in two games last season with the Cleveland Browns, failing to get on the stat sheet.

Prior to joining Cleveland, James spent one season with the Chicago Bears, two with the Detroit Lions and four with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the fifth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Penn State. James enjoyed his best run of success in Pittsburgh, hauling in 120 receptions for 1,189 yards and nine touchdowns. In eight seasons altogether, he has come down with 157 receptions for 1,522 yards and 12 scores.

Raiders play inspired football in first game under interim head coach Antonio Pierce

The Raiders are coming off a 30-6 Week 9 dismantling of the New York Giants (2-7), the first game of the Antonio Pierce era. Just five days removed from the firing of head coach Josh McDaniels, the Raiders looked the part of an energized bunch, and their performance was symbolic of that.

Aidan O’Connell, the 2023 fourth-round pick out of Purdue, guided the Raiders to their best offensive showing of the season. After not surpassing 21 points in any of their first eight contests, the offense erupted for 24 points in the first half alone. O’Connell completed 16-of-25 passes for 209 yards. Star running back Josh Jacobs took care of the scoring, hitting pay dirt two times. Jacobs rushed for 98 yards on 26 carries.

“They let me get involved a little more in the run game,” Jacobs said after the game. “They called all the runs that they felt that I liked. The runs that I felt worked good throughout the week. We have been practicing them, they just happened to call them at the right times. It was definitely a collective effort.

“[Pierce] just told me the way I play the game with passion, it ignites a spark in the guys. That’s what I tried to come out here and bring today.”