NAPA — The only surprise was the timing as the Raiders waived Johnny Townsend Tuesday, thereby making A.J. Cole the likely starting punter in 2019.
Cole, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina State, had consistently out-kicked Townsend throughout training camp and again in the Raiders’ 14-3 exhibition win over the Rams. After that game, Gruden talked of what he expected to be a competition between the two for the remainder of camp.
The injury report cut that competition short. Backups D.J. Killings (pectoral) and Dylan Mabin (hamstring) left the Raiders short at the position. Makinton Dorleant and Joshua Holsey were signed, while Townsend and cornerback Hamp Cheevers, a Monday waiver claim, were released.