Raiders sign former Auburn tight end for fourth time

Raiders sign former Auburn tight end for fourth time

For the fourth time this year, former Auburn tight end John Samuel Shenker has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Shenker rejoined the Raiders’ practice squad on Friday. Las Vegas signed Shenker after promoting fullback Jakob Johnson from its practice squad to the 53-player active roster.

Shenker originally signed with the Raiders as an undrafted rookie on May 12. After spending the offseason program, training camp and preseason with Las Vegas, Shenker was released when the Raiders reduced their preseason roster to the regular-season limit on Aug. 29.

The next day, Las Vegas signed Shenker for its practice squad. He stayed with the Raiders until being released on Oct. 5. But on Oct. 18, Las Vegas brought him back for the practice squad.

That stint lasted only six days, and Shenker was out of the NFL from Oct. 24 until signing with the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 20.

On Tuesday, Arizona released Shenker from its practice squad, and now he’s back with the Raiders, who have two games remaining in their season.

Each NFL team can elevate two practice-squad members to active status for each game, but Shenker has not played this season.

In five seasons at Auburn, Shenker set a school record by playing in 62 games, and he also became the Tigers’ career leader for receptions by a tight end with 68 for 779 yards and three touchdowns.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.