Former
Raider, Trojan Russell reinstated by NFL
ALAMEDA,
Calif. (AP) -- Troubled Oakland Raiders
defensive tackle Darrell Russell was reinstated
by the NFL on Monday after serving a 1 1/2-season
suspension for violating the league's substance
abuse policy, then was released by the Raiders.
He
now can be claimed off waivers.
Coach
Bill Callahan said in the offseason the
Raiders were moving on without Russell,
who had rape charges against him dropped
in September 2002.
Callahan
also has said he has no interest in having
Russell back on the team.
''I'm
on record as saying so,'' Callahan said
Monday, though he wouldn't elaborate.
Raiders
senior assistant Bruce Allen said Russell's
problems outweighed the success he had with
the franchise. Russell has a $9 million
annual salary and has a $l.66 million signing
bonus the Raiders are still responsible
for. They've already accounted for that
against the salary cap, Allen said.
The
Raiders have been working out several players
in recent days and have a roster spot to
fill because linebacker Bill Romanowski
was placed on injured reserve Thursday after
a series of concussions.
Russell
tested positive for the drug Ecstasy and
sat out the first four games of the 2001
season.
The
Washington Post reported that the Redskins
had done a background check on Russell and
were satisfied they could sign him.
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