As expected, the Oakland Raiders formally released running back Roy Helu Jr. from the injured reserve list, where he was placed on Friday.
Helu, 27, underwent surgeries on both hips this offseason after rushing for 39 yards on 17 carries and catching nine passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in nine games in his lone season with Oakland.
“We hoped to get a little more last year out of him,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “He elected to have some things done this year in the offseason, and at this point we’re going to move forward with the team.”
Helu was technically placed on IR in an earlier news item we had. But at this point, he's officially released. Fifth-round draft pick DeAndre Washington has assumed backup running back duties behind Latavius Murray, and already has had some positive press as the guy who will take over the RB2 role. Undrafted rookie Jalen Richard has also impressed early in camp as the No. 3 back.
