The Raiders are dealing with a handful of injuries at other positions, forcing them to abandon the cornerback depth that Lawson offers. The team hopes to bring him back on their practice squad following the release. Lawson just completed his two-game PED suspension and is now eligible to return if the Raiders choose to call him up from the practice squad or if he signs with a new team.

He'll be suspended without pay for the first two games of the regular season. Lawson notched a career-high 61 tackles with Las Vegas last year and was promptly re-signed to a one-year deal this offseason. He'll presumably replace Lamarcus Joyner in the secondary the moment the former is eligible to return in Week 3.

Lawson played both the slot and outside for the Raiders last year. He had a career-high 61 tackles but went his seventh straight season without an interception. Lawson gives the Raiders a veteran to fall back on with Lamarcus Joyner gone. The signing shouldn't prevent the Raiders from adding another corner through the draft or free agency.  

Lawson appeared in 11 games (five starts) with the Raiders in 2019, during which he accrued 24 tackles and five defended passes. An altercation during Oakland's season-finale loss to the Broncos resulted in Lawson receiving a one-game suspension, the duration of which he figures to serve Week 1 of the 2020 regular season.