Raiders cutting four-time Pro Bowl guard Richie Incognito?

Last week, The Athletic's Vic Tafur wrote that Las Vegas Raiders left guard Richie Incognito was back up and running after undergoing season-ending foot surgery last fall and, thus, was on track to return to the club for the 2021 campaign set to start after he celebrates his 38th birthday in July. 

Things often change quickly in the NFL. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that the Raiders are parting ways with the four-time Pro Bowl guard because of salary-cap restrictions. Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Incognito would've counted $5.475 million against the cap. The Raiders instead save that value since no dead money was attached to the final year of the contract. 

Tafur noted in late February that head coach Jon Gruden "loves the guard’s intensity and thinks that his leadership was missed last season." That's a solid endorsement for a veteran nearing the twilight of his career who hasn't made a Pro Bowl squad since 2017. 

The overall salary cap is expected to drop for next season due to financial losses suffered last year when teams couldn't fill stadiums to capacities because of COVID-19 restrictions and concerns. If Incognito is willing to sign a team-friendly deal, though, he should find a home with a club in need of inexpensive help on the offensive line.