Raiders promote Chimdi Chekwa from practice squad, Ron Bartell released

The Oakland Raiders were busy making roster moves on Monday ahead of their Sunday match-up with the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to reinstating suspended linebacker Rolando McClain, they brought cornerback Chimdi Chekwa up from the practice squad and released cornerback Ron Bartell. The Raiders also parted ways with fullback Owen Schmitt.

Bartell was in his first season with the Raiders after spending the previous seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams. Bartell had played six games this season for the Raiders, recording 18 tackles and four passes defended. He's dealt with plenty of injury issues the last two seasons. A broken bone in his neck in the Rams' opener ended his season a year ago and a broken shoulder blade against the San Diego Chargers earlier this season forced him to miss seven games. Chekwa was a fourth-round pick from the 2011 draft and has spent the entire 2012 season on the practice squad previous to today.