Raiders Rumors: Ex-Cardinals Safety DJ Swearinger Working Out for Oakland

Veteran safety DJ Swearinger is working out for the Oakland Raiders on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Swearinger, 28, was released by the Arizona Cardinals in late September. For his career, he's had stints with the Houston Texans (2013-14), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015), Cardinals (2015-16, 2019) and Washington (2017-18). 

Swearinger's release came as something of a surprise in September. He had played every defensive snap through the Cardinals' first four games, registering 28 tackles and a pass defensed. But he also gave up three touchdown passes and struggled in coverage.

As Darren Urban of AZCArdinals noted at the time of his release: "According to Pro Football Focus, Swearinger's biggest issue was in coverage. PFF said Swearinger allowed a passer rating of 145.3 when he was targeted."

The Raiders, meanwhile, are giving up an NFL-worst 297.5 passing yards per game. They've also allowed 22 passing touchdowns, second-most in the league. And they've been gashed down the field, giving up 43 throws of 20 or more yards (worst in the NFL) and 10 passes of 40 or more yards (31st).

It's unlikely Swearinger would supplant Karl Joseph, Erik Harris or Lamarcus Joyner at safety. And a significant part of the team's woes in the pass game is an impotent pass rush that has managed just 15 sacks, tied for 25th in the NFL.

But Swearinger would add much-needed depth and perhaps even push the starters for playing time. He'd hardly be a solution for the team's issues giving up chunk plays, however, given his coverage issues with the Cardinals.