With Seymour still a no-show, Raiders given exemption to re-sign Joseph

Published: Sep 10, 2009 at 04:37 PM

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders re-signed defensive tackle William Joseph on Thursday while Richard Seymour remained a no-show four days before the team's season opener against the AFC West rival San Diego Chargers.

The NFL granted the Raiders a roster exemption for Joseph while Seymour's situation waits to be resolved.

"I have nothing new to report," Raiders coach Tom Cable said after Thursday night's practice. "But in the meantime this was granted to us so we could get ready."

There were reports that the Raiders had sent Seymour a letter demanding he report to Oakland within five days or face a possible suspension, but Cable said he was unaware of any such letter.

"I don't have any knowledge of that right now," Cable said. "I've heard something about that, but I have no knowledge of that right now. It has been nothing more than just trying to get some of these details worked out. That's it."

The Raiders cut Joseph on Sunday after they acquired Seymour from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2011 first-round draft pick. But Seymour remains a no-show four days after the trade, and there hasn't been an official comment from either him or his agent, Eugene Parker, as to why.

Trevor Scott, who tied for the Raiders' lead with five sacks as a rookie last season, likely will start at right defensive end Monday night if Seymour doesn't report.

"It's out of my control. Whatever's going to happen is going to happen," Scott said. "So if he does get here, some things are changed or different. I'm not going to let it affect me."

Chargers coach Norv Turner said Seymour could still have an impact in the game if he reports to the Raiders soon.

"He's an outstanding football player," Turner said in a conference call Thursday. "A guy who's that good a football player, I think you find a spot, whether it be as an end pass rushing on third down, whatever those things might be. But certainly, it's hard to fit a guy in and get him going in a short period of time."

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has rushed for more yards (1,906) and touchdowns (19) against the Raiders than any other team, also expects Seymour to play well if he reports.

"He's a pro for one, he knows how to play football and he knows how to turn it on when it's time to turn it on," Tomlinson said. "I think he can absolutely have an effect on the game."

Joseph, a former New York Giants first-round draft pick who played in eight games for the Raiders last season, wasn't surprised to be back in Oakland.

"The day they let me go, they released me, coach Cable said, 'Don't go nowhere,'" Joseph said. "I was just around, sticking around, seeing what was going to happen."

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