Brad Biggs of NationalFootballPost is reporting that the Raiders are bringing in defensive tackle Alfonso Boone and that the Raiders are likely to sign the veteran if his passes a physical.

Boone was released by Kansas City on Tuesday, and has also drawn interest from Carolina and his former team Chicago, according to a league source. The Raiders, however, are the favorite to sign the nine-year pro.

He signed a $7.2 million, four-year contract to join the Chiefs in 2007, and appeared in 15 games last season making four starts. In their switch to the 3-4 defense, the Chiefs were using Boone at left end but after first-round draft pick Tyson Jackson reported to camp, Boone soon dropped on the depth chart. Although he can play anywhere on the line, he’s best at tackle.

The Bears offered a contract to Boone in 2007 before he left in free agency but were willing to pay him only the minimum. They took a hit at tackle when Dusty Dvoracek was lost for the season to a knee injury in Week 2 of preseason. The Panthers have been seeking a replacement for starter Maake Kemoeatu, who suffered a torn right Achilles tendon on the first practice of training camp. Carolina traded with Cleveland to acquire tackle Louis Leonard for an undisclosed draft pick on Tuesday.

With the Raiders' last preseason game occurring at the same time as this potential signing, the Raiders will be going entirely on reputation and past performance if Boone makes the final roster. The news should affect Terdell Sands, William Joseph, and Desmond Bryant, who may all be fighting for the same roster spot at this point. Bryant would seem to have the upper hand at this point.

At least the Raiders are attempting to do something about their areas of weakness. Look for the Raiders to comb the waiver wire for backup OL, CB, and possibly a WR. I've heard Sinorice Moss may be done with the Giants, he'd be an upgrade over Nick Miller.

UPDATE:

KFFL is also reporting that the Raiders are bringing in C/G Sean Mahan for a workout today. Mahan was released by the Bucaneers yesterday, and they signed OL Marcus Johnson. It appears as though the Raiders are still looking for an upgrade for backup C/G over Wade and Morris.

In this installment of Working Toward the 53-Man Roster, we’ll discuss the Raiders linebacker ranks. The Raiders only have 10 linebackers on their 80-man training camp roster, and kept 7 on the 53-man roster last season, so most of the players discussed today will end up making the final roster. The bigger question for the Raiders seems to be which 3 linebackers will make up the starting rotation. Continue reading after the jump.

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Raider fans, your prayers have been answered.....sort of: The Raiders have acquired a new defensive tackle.

The Oakland Raiders Transactions page indicates that the Raiders have claimed defensive tackle Joe Cohen off waivers and waived/injured CB Jason Horton.

Cohen was a 4th round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, spent 2007 and the 2008 preseason with the Niners before being released and signed by the Miami Dolphins. Cohen played sparingly with the Dolphins, and was released yesterday.

It is unclear what Cohen's role will be for the last two weeks of the preseason. Does he have a chance to overtake Terdell Sands for the backup nose tackle job, or is he simply a camp body to keep starters fresh and healthy through these last two weeks? It will be interesting to see what Coach Cable has to say about the acquisition tomorrow.