Devontae Booker is coming into this season not only to add depth to the Las Vegas Raiders running back room, but also to prove himself to anyone that may have previously doubted his abilities.
Booker signed with the Raiders in May after spending four seasons with AFC West rival Denver. Booker played in all but three games in his four seasons in Denver, and the Utah alum even led the Broncos in rushing yards with more than 600 yards and four touchdowns his rookie season.
Despite his solid production, Booker spent his next three seasons in Denver battling for the starting job at running back in a committee-type system. Booker decided to sign with Las Vegas and enter into another running back battle.
"When I signed here after the draft, I just felt like it was a good opportunity for me to get here and work with these guys in the running back room," Booker said.
Booker had serious odds to beat coming into the Raiders running back competition in Training Camp, having to compete with versatile back Jalen Richard, seven-year veteran Theo Riddick and Raiders third-round pick Lynn Bowden Jr. After releasing Theo Riddick and trading Bowden to the Miami Dolphins on September 5, Booker was able to make the 53-man roster for the Raiders and secure a spot as a backup running back for Josh Jacobs with Richard.
"Just me coming here and working my butt off and us really not having a full offseason with the team and everything, it says a lot about just my work ethic," said Booker. "My expectations for the team is just to get better each day and go out there and just compete and have fun."
With him signing to the Raiders, Booker will also have two opportunities to go up against his former team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Booker however confirmed there will be no love lost when he steps on the field to face his former team.
"Now that I'm here, shoot, I'm a rival to them. I just got to go out there and do my job."
Head out to Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center for practice as the Raiders prepare for their regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches stretching during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (23) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches stretching during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders players head to the field during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock and defensive end Arden Key (99) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and linebacker Javin White (53) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Raekwon McMillan (54) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach Rod Marinelli during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Datone Jones (95) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Madre Harper (43) and wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden huddles the team during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches huddle during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Denzelle Good (71) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kendal Vickers (78) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) signing footballs during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signing footballs during practice.
A signed Las Vegas Raiders football during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) signing footballs during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Jordan Brown (39) signing footballs during practice.
Signed Las Vegas Raiders footballs during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) signing footballs during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) signing footballs during practice.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kyle Emanuel (52) signing footballs during practice.
