Marcell Ateman is Back on the Raiders 53-Man Roster

Former Cowboy Marcell Ateman has been re-signed by the Oakland Raiders

STILLWATER -- Even though he's been with the Raiders for nearly two years, there's reason to celebrate as Marcell Ateman has been re-signed to the Raiders active 53-man roster.

ESPN's Field Yates reported Thursday afternoon that Oakland has cut receiver J.J. Nelson and have re-signed Ateman from the practice squad. He joins fellow Cowboy, linebacker Justin Phillips, who was also on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster.

This is the second time in two seasons that Ateman has been on the 53-man roster.

Ateman spent the first four weeks on the Raiders' practice squad, but participated in the week 5 matchup against Chicago in London. He did not record any stats.

Ateman was drafted by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2018 draft and was placed on the practice squad before being called up to the 53-man roster. He competed in seven games last season and started in six of the.

While it wasn't a lot, it was a great start for Ateman's career as he recorded 15 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown.

All throughout last year's training camp, and then throughout this camp as well, Ateman earned a lot of praise from head coach Jon Gruden, as well as other coaching staff.

During his time at Oklahoma State, Ateman was a solid receiver. At 6-4 and 200-plus pounds, he was the perfect target on the outside and routinely bought down tricky catches over defenders.

After sitting out all of 2016 with a surgically repaired broken foot, Ateman's senior season in Stillwater was his best. He hauled in 59 receptions for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns. His performance earned him second-team All-Big 12 by the coaches. He was also a part of the first offense in Big 12 history to have a 4,000-yard passer (Mason Rudolph), a 1,000-yard rusher (Justice Hill) and two 1,000-yard receivers (James Washington and Marcell Ateman).