ALAMEDA — Nevin Lawson returned to the Raiders’ 53-man roster Monday, one week after he was eligible to be reinstated after missing the first four games of the season serving a suspension for being in violation of the NFL policy for performance enhancing drugs.

The Raiders have been paper thin at cornerback over the last two games — both wins — with starters Gareon Conley and Daryl Worley playing every snap in wins over Indianapolis and Chicago and slot corner Lamarcus Joyner missing only a few snaps.

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Trayvon Mullen, a second-round pick from Clemson, has gotten minimal work in the secondary while Keisean Nixon has played exclusive on special teams in the past two games.

Lawson, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, played five seasons for the Detroit Lions before signing a one-year contract with a base value of $1.5 million during the off-season. He played in 63 games for Detroit from 2014 through 2018 with 54 starts.

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Raiders face more challenges with Patriots’ Cam Newton than they did with Tom Brady To make room for Lawson, the Raiders waived Lester Cotton Jr., who was promoted from the practice squad for the Bears game in London and suited up but did not get in the game. With Richie Incognito playing all 73 snaps against Chicago despite a back injury and Gabe Jackson scheduled to return to practice and play in Green Bay following the bye, Cotton will presumably be returned to the practice squad should he clear waivers.

Coach Jon Gruden gave the Raiders the week off following the win over Chicago, although injured players will be in for treatment.

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