Heading into another week of NFL action, another former Kentucky football player joined the list of active athletes in the league.
Linebacker Jamin Davis joined the Las Vegas Raiders' active roster per Ian Rapoport today, replacing offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, who suffered an ankle injury that saw him placed on the injured reserve list. There is concern that Powers-Johnson's injury could even be season-ending.
Davis played for Mark Stoops at Kentucky from 2017-2020, being a first-round NFL draft pick in 2021 by the Washington Commanders (then the Washington Football Team). He was drafted No. 19 overall.
At UK, Davis redshirted as a freshman and worked his way into the rotation until he was named a defensive starter in 2020. During that 2020 season, Davis led the team in tackles with 102 and also logged 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three interceptions, one of which was a pick six.
In total, he finished his collegiate career with 144 tackles, 66 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and five interceptions in 25 games.
Once in the NFL, Davis signed a four-year rookie contract with Washington and even started after an injury to Cole Holcomb. However, despite logging 104 tackles, two fumble recoveries and three sacks, he would suffer an injury that put him on the IR and the Commanders would eventually decline the fifth year option of his contract.
From there it was stormy seas for Davis, who would sign with the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers and never make the active roster. He would also sign with the Minnesota Vikings, but would only last a month before being released. He would be claimed by the New York Jets on waivers and even sign an extension, but that would also not be long term.
Davis signed with the Raiders on Oct. 8 and has been with the practice squad since until joining the active roster today.
The Raiders are currently 2-7 on the season, sitting dead last in the AFC West and four games back of the AFC Wildcard race already. The squad started hot with a win over the 8-2 New England Patriots, but four straight losses would follow. A hollow victory over the 1-8 Tennessee Titans would be followed by a 31-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and two more losses after that.
The Raiders will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 17, at home against the Dallas Cowboys inside Allegiant Stadium. That game will begin at 8:15 p.m. ET and air live on ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN.