Raiders sign linebacker Omar Gaither to replace Travis Goethel

The Oakland Raiders have signed veteran linebacker Omar Gaither to replace Travis Goethel, who saw his season end after being placed on the Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Gaither was spotted at practice doing drills with the team and could play as early as Week 11.

As Paul Gutierrez of CSN Bay Area noted, Gaither has played in 77 games over the past six years with the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers, and he's made 40 starts. He played in 10 games with Carolina last season for a defense that struggled throughout most of the year. Gaither was selected in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft following a strong career with the Tennessee Volunteers.

It seems unlikely the veteran linebacker does a whole lot for the Raiders, although he provides the coaching staff with another able body on Sundays. For a defense that has struggled so much in 2012, it seems they will take a chance on just about anyone at this point.