Raiders release Taylor, sign Alston

Seeking help for their injury-riddled linebacking corps, the Raiders on Saturday signed Jon Alston from their practice squad and released wide receiver Travis Taylor.

Jon Alston had been with the Rams last season but was released by St. Louis at the end of preseason. The Raiders needed help because Ike Ekejiuba is out with a cracked bone in his right foot and Robert Thomas has been nursing a hamstring injury.

Travis Taylor, a former first-round draft pick of Baltimore’s who spent the last two seasons in Minnesota before joining Oakland in the offseason, had played in just one game for the Raiders. He was inactive for the Week 1 loss to Detroit but suited up against Denver but did not catch a pass.

The Raiders brought in three linebackers last week for tryouts but did not sign any of them.