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Raiders Add Amari Kight, Darian Kinnard; Release Evan Neal

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The Las Vegas Raiders reshaped their practice-squad offensive line on October 19, signing tackles Amari Kight and Darian Kinnard while releasing guard Evan Neal and tight end Chris Myarick. The move adds two different reserve profiles before a Week 7 home game against the Los Angeles Rams: Kight is a developmental tackle with recent championship-team experience, while Kinnard brings the larger NFL résumé.

This is a depth transaction, not a starting-lineup announcement. Neither signing should change fantasy rankings by itself. The useful question is whether either tackle earns an elevation or active-roster spot as Las Vegas manages its protection depth.

Two anonymous offensive tackles enter a practice facility after Las Vegas added Amari Kight and Darian Kinnard.

What the Raiders changed

  • Signed tackle Amari Kight to the practice squad.

  • Signed tackle Darian Kinnard to the practice squad.

  • Released guard Evan Neal from the practice squad.

  • Released tight end Chris Myarick from the practice squad.

The Raiders’ official transaction log lists all four moves on October 19. Las Vegas had signed Neal to the practice squad on September 3, so his release ends a seven-week developmental look rather than removing an active starter.

What Amari Kight adds

Kight is listed at 6-foot-7 and 299 pounds. The former UCF and Alabama tackle appeared in four regular-season games and one postseason game for Seattle during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX-winning 2025 season before landing on injured reserve prior to the title game.

His most recent college season offers the clearest picture of his development. Kight started all 12 games at right tackle for UCF in 2024. The Knights finished fourth nationally in rushing offense at 228.2 yards per game and eighth in total offense at 487.0 yards per game. Those team figures do not prove individual NFL readiness, but they explain why Las Vegas would view him as a useful practice and development option.

Why Darian Kinnard is the more experienced addition

Kinnard is listed at 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds. His official Raiders profile credits him with 20 career regular-season games and five starts. He played all 17 games for Green Bay in 2025 and made four starts after appearing in two games with one start for Philadelphia in 2024 and one game for Kansas City as a rookie.

That experience makes Kinnard the more immediate insurance option of the two new tackles. It still does not guarantee a game-day role. Practice-squad placement means the next meaningful signals are weekly elevations, active-roster transactions and the club’s injury report.

What Evan Neal’s release means

Neal arrived in Las Vegas with 29 career games and 27 starts from his 2022 through 2024 tenure with the New York Giants. The Raiders kept him on the practice squad from September 3 through October 19 but chose to replace that spot with Kight and Kinnard.

The decision is best read as a change in reserve evaluation and fit. It does not establish that either newcomer has moved ahead of an active starter, and it does not by itself reveal which player would be elevated first.

Week 7 and fantasy football impact

Las Vegas hosts the Rams on Sunday, October 25, at 1:25 p.m. Pacific. The Raiders enter the matchup after a 33-30 loss to Buffalo. For a complete matchup view, including the turnover and injury context, see Football Nation’s Rams at Raiders Week 7 guide.

  • Redraft and DFS: No immediate change. Practice-squad tackle signings do not warrant moving Kirk Cousins, Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers or the Raiders’ receivers.

  • Game analysis: The transaction improves the number of available practice and emergency options, but it does not prove the starting five will change.

  • Waiver watch: Monitor official elevations and active-roster moves. Either would be a stronger indication that Las Vegas expects Kight or Kinnard to dress.

  • Injury watch: Check the Raiders’ first Week 7 injury report for the offensive line before assigning protection value to this move.

For the league mechanics behind reserve-player transactions, read Football Nation’s 2026 roster cuts, waivers and practice-squad explainer.

What to watch next

The next checkpoints are straightforward: Wednesday’s practice participation, any standard elevation before Sunday, and whether Las Vegas signs either player to the active roster. Until one of those happens, treat Kight and Kinnard as added line depth rather than a new starting combination.

Sources

  • Las Vegas Raiders transactions — October 19, 2026

  • Las Vegas Raiders player profile — Amari Kight

  • Las Vegas Raiders player profile — Darian Kinnard

  • Las Vegas Raiders player profile — Evan Neal

  • Las Vegas Raiders 2026 schedule

Source links: Transactions · Kight · Kinnard · Neal · Schedule

Reporting cutoff: October 21, 2026, 5:18 a.m. Central.

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