Veteran wide receiver signs with Raiders, reunites with Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll is turning to a familiar face to help breathe some life into the Raiders offense.

Tyler Lockett, who became one of the most productive wide receivers in Seattle Seahawks history under Carroll, is reuniting with his former coach in Las Vegas. After agreeing to terms with the Raiders on a contract Monday, Lockett joined his new teammates at practice at the club’s Henderson headquarters.

The Raiders, coming off their bye week, host the Jaguars on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Lockett is expected to play.

“Just to help the team win,” Lockett said when asked about his role with the Raiders. “I feel like the role I’m going to have is to do whatever’s necessary to help the team win, and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

Lockett, 33, is clearly not the same player he was during his heyday with the Seahawks. That was evident when his receptions fell from 79 in 2023 to 49 in 2024 with the Seahawks, and his 10 catches in seven games with the Titans this season.

But he’s expected to add a veteran presence to a receiver room that is equal parts injured and inexperienced. Most important, Lockett could be a security blanket for Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, who played five seasons with Lockett in Seattle.

Smith has struggled in his first season with the Raiders, partly the result of his subpar play but also injuries to Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers and the slow development of rookie wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton.

Lockett’s familiarity with Smith could help mitigate some of that.

“We grew so much, just being able to play,” Lockett said. “We went through different coordinators, learned different systems, understood how to adjust our game, but still being able to build. And so it’s been pretty fun just to be able to come back, kind of trying to pick up where we (left) off.”

Lockett, a third-round pick of the Seahawks in 2015, played 10 seasons in Seattle, including nine under Carroll, and had 661 catches for 8,594 yards and 61 touchdowns.

He moved on to Tennessee this season — he played with the Titans against the Raiders two weeks ago — but eventually asked for his release. Lockett said he spoke with Carroll after getting cut by the Titans and is excited about reuniting with him.

“I understand his system. I understand what he’s trying to bring to the culture,” Lockett said. “I’m just thankful I got another chance to be able to play for him.”

To make room for Lockett on the 53-man roster, the Raiders waived wide receiver Justin Shorter.

Safety returns to practice

Safety Lonnie Johnson Jr., who has been on injured reserve all season after suffering a broken right fibula in training camp, was designated to return to practice Monday. The Raiders have 21 days to decide whether to activate Johnson to the 53-man roster.

Johnson said he hopes to play Sunday.

“If they want me to play, I’ll play,” he said, smiling.

The fact that Johnson is in a position to return is a bit of a miracle. Doctors told him it’s rare that players return from this type of injury in the same season. But Johnson, who was having a strong camp, was determined to get back as quickly as possible.

“I just put my head down and got to work,” he said. “It was only one focus — to get back.”

O’Connell could return soon

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who suffered a broken right wrist in the Raiders’ final preseason game and has been on injured reserve all season, said he hopes to return to practice this week.

The Raiders will take Tuesday off and return to practice Wednesday. Barring setbacks, O’Connell said the plan is to start his 21-day practice window.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.