Breaking: The Raiders have announced that two players on the practice squad have been promoted to the active roster.

Raiders announce changes to active roster, promoting two players from practice squad

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The club announced Thursday that the Las Vegas Raiders have signed DT Matthew Butler to the active roster from the practice squad.

Butler is in his third season with the Silver and Black after initially being drafted by the club in the fifth round (175th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The 290-pound, 6-3 defensive tackle has played in eight career games and recorded six tackles (one solo) and 0.5 sacks.

Raiders return to Aidan O’Connell as starting QB against the Steelers, benching Gardner Minshew

Additionally, the Raiders have signed DT Zach Carter to the practice squad. Carter, originally a third-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022, has played in 37 career games with 16 starts and registered 55 tackles (22), one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and two passes defensed.

More Raiders News: Raiders return to Aidan O’Connell as starting QB against the Steelers, benching Gardner Minshew

Steelers QB Russell Wilson (calf) closer to returning to action

Following his first two full practices since early September, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson is closer to making his season debut as a backup rather than the emergency quarterback.

Justin Fields, who became the starter when Wilson strained his calf in a Sept. 5 practice, remains QB1 for the Steelers (3-2) going into their Sunday road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3). Raiders return to Aidan O’Connell as starting QB against the Steelers, benching Gardner Minshew

Raiders return to Aidan O’Connell as starting QB against the Steelers, benching Gardner Minshew

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, pledges to be ready whenever the time comes to see his first regular-season action since signing with the Steelers as a free agent in March. He practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday, but his status for Sunday had not been determined.

“I’ve played a lot of football games, have been in a lot of moments,” Wilson, 35, said on Thursday. “I don’t fear them. Getting ready to go and rock and roll.

“I feel confident that I’ll be ready to play … and play at a high level. I think we’re being really smart, too, and trying to understand exactly how I feel.”

After weeks of practice squad elevations CB Tyler Hall finally signed to Raiders active roster - Yahoo Sports

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Wilson is healthy enough to practice without restrictions. How well the veteran QB practices and his ability to protect himself will determine what the Steelers do from here. Wilson was inactive for the first five games.

Wilson was named the starter following the final preseason game in August but was limited in practice before the Week 1 opener at Atlanta. His status did not change from there, with Fields leading the Steelers to three wins to open the season before the team dropped its past two games. After weeks of practice squad elevations CB Tyler Hall finally signed to Raiders active roster - Yahoo Sports

After weeks of practice squad elevations CB Tyler Hall finally signed to Raiders active roster - Yahoo Sports

Fields, 25, has completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes for 961 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in five starts. He also has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.

Wilson last started a game on Christmas Eve before the Denver Broncos benched him for the final two 2023 regular-season games in a contract dispute that led to the former Super Bowl winner being released.

“For me, I’m preparing my mind to get ready to go,” Wilson said. “That’s my mentality and help us win, whatever that is. I’m just getting prepared for Friday.

“It’s not like I haven’t been out there. I’ve gotten a lot of reps over this time. I have a lot of confidence with our guys and who we are.”