Nate Allen Released by Raiders: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

The Oakland Raiders terminated the contract of defensive back Nate Allen on Tuesday, according to Pro Football Talk, citing a source. 

Per Spotrac, Allen was signed through the 2018 season, when he'd be owed around $15.5 million. NFL Trade Rumors added that the Raiders will pick up $5 million in available cap space by releasing him. 

Per CSN's Scott Bair, Allen's 2016 base salary would have been guaranteed on Wednesday, so this looks like the Raiders just didn't want to pay the defensive back. 

Allen, who spent the first five years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, appeared in just five games with the Raiders in 2015 after signing a four-year, $23 million deal. 

He tore his MCL in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, which sidelined him for eight weeks before he returned in Week 10. He played in four more games until Week 13, when he was sidelined again with knee issues and shut down for the season. 

In his lone season with the Raiders, he recorded 11 total solo tackles, an interception and two pass deflections.

Allen had appeared in at least 13 games in each of his first five years with the Eagles and was ranked among the top 10 in interceptions in 2014 with a career high of four. 

The Raiders will have to address the safety position now that they've cut ties with the 28-year-old. Their secondary was suspect last season, ranked 26th in the league in passing defense. According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, cornerback and safety are the team's biggest needs to address in the upcoming draft.

For Allen, these injury troubles might be a red flag for teams that would be interested in bringing him on to help their secondary.

If he's able to come back healthy and show he is capable of playing and maintaining an NFL-level caliber of play, then he should have no issues finding a new job. 

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.