Raiders add Perry Riley Jr. to banged-up linebacker corps

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders have signed former Washingtonlinebacker Perry Riley Jr. to bolster their interior linebacker corps.Ben Heeneywas placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an ankle issue, and Malcolm Smithis dealing with a groin issue.

Riley, who broke a foot last November, has not played since and said he had a second surgery on the injury in February. He had a physical with the Raiders on Monday but did not work out, he said, before signing.

Riley said he grew up with Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin.

"From fourth grade on up, we've known each other every year," Riley said of Irvin. "We've done been rivals when we was younger to best friends as we got older. It's good to be back with him."

Riley also tweeted about reuniting with Irvin in the NFL.

"I'm a football player," Riley said Tuesday in the Raiders' locker room. "You ask me, I think I can do everything -- cover, tackle, play the run and pass. But playing the run is definitely something that outside people have told me I do well. I'm a physical player; I come downhill, taking on blocks, making plays in the gap, backfield, whatever.

"But I think a lot of people underestimate my athleticism or speed outside in pass coverage. I think I got a lot of scrutiny in Washington about a couple of pass coverages I gave up. But at the same time, a lot of people don't know everything that's supposed to go on. You don't know assignments. You don't know leverage and stuff, so a lot of stuff I got blamed for wasn't always my fault, but I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised with the way I cover."

Riley, 28, was released by the Redskins on Aug. 30.

He had played well in three games alongside fellow inside linebacker Will Compton in 2015 before breaking his foot. That opened the way for Mason Foster to replace him, and the coaches liked how Foster performed over the final five games last season.

Riley, who had been a starter for the Redskins since 2012 before his injury last season, wasn't a contributor on special teams, which also was a factor in his release.

ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim contributed to this report.