O'Connell, Bergen make practice squads; Mellott not yet
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 7 months, 1 week AGO
After being waived by the San Francisco 49ers Tuesday, the team announced that Junior Bergen would be added to the practice squad Wednesday after clearing waivers.
Former Bobcat quarterback Tommy Mellott was not picked up by the Raiders practice squad, likely ending his time in Las Vegas.
Raiders general manager John Spytek was asked about Mellott on Wednesday.
“I have a lot of respect for Tommy,” Spytek said. “There was a lot of hard decisions we made the last couple of days. And ultimately our responsibility. ... was to put the best 53 and the 17 after that to get ready to win football games.
“Ultimately we made some decisions that didn’t include him, for now.”
Spytek noted that every receiver the Raiders brought to camp ended the preseason healthy, making it somewhat of a numbers game.
“We talked to him yestereday. You know he’s a great kid,” he said. “(Mellott) worked really, really hard to become an NFL wide receiver after being an FCS quarterback. I don’t think people understand quite how hard that is.
“Unfortunately this is not a field where there’s a lot of patience. I still believe in Tommy, I think he’s got a really bright future and I hope he finds a place with a little more patience.”
The Raiders did sign North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller, drafted two picks after Mellott and cut on Tuesday, to their practice squad.
Bergen, the Montana Grizzlies receiver and return man, was one of 13 players added to the San Francisco practice squad. Another was rookie defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez, who played at MSU and Washington.
Seattle added 17 to their practice squad including former Griz and Glacier Wolfpack linebacker Patrick O’Connell. O’Connell started 2024 on the practice squad as well before making five appearances for the Seahawks.
Seattle named former MSU safety Ty Okada to the 53-man roster Tuesday.
Montana State product Lance McCutcheon, cut by the Steelers on Tuesday despite catching a touchdown during the preseason, remained unsigned on Wednesday.
Former Griz offensive lineman Dylan Cook also earned a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad after the team cut him Tuesday.