The Raiders have placed left tackle Jared Veldheer on short-term injured reserve, the club said Saturday.
Veldheer suffered a triceps tear in August. To replace him on the roster, the Raiders promoted first-year offensive tackle Matt McCants from the practice squad.
Veldheer’s placement on injured reserve is not a surprise, considering his injury and the Raiders’ depth concerns at tackle entering the season opener at Indianapolis on Sunday. Rookie Menelik Watson, who was expected to start at left tackle in Week One, is out with a knee injury. Veteran right tackle Khalif Barnes will move to the left side, with Tony Pashos getting the call at right tackle. McCants, a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 2012, could be the top option off the bench at tackle on Sunday.
Veldheer is eligible to return to the playing field in Week Nine, when Oakland hosts Philadelphia on November 3.