ESPN's Adam Caplan reports that the Raiders have reached a deal with RB Roy Helu. Oakland's backfield certainly presents opportunity, with Latavius Murray as the leading incumbent despite just 82 career carries to date. Maurice Jones-Drew retired this offseason, and Darren McFadden's a free agent. There's room for both Murray and Helu to play significant roles, though we could see Helu continue to serve primarily as a pass-catcher. He caught 49, 31 and 42 passes in his 3 mostly healthy seasons with Washington. Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo reports that Helu's deal is for 2 years and a little more than $4 million. Of course, Marcel Reece seems like he'll continue to go under-utilized.

Raiders RB Roy Helu recently underwent surgery to address a hip impingement, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan.  He'll soon undergo the same procedure on his other hip.  It's unclear how long Helu will be sidelined, but it's not a good start to the offseason for a guy coming off a disappointing 2015 season.  Helu carried just 17 times and averaged an ugly 2.3 yards per.

Raiders RB Roy Helu is a healthy scratch for today's opener against the Bengals.  He missed a bunch of time this summer with a hamstring injury.  Taiwan Jones will serve as Oakland's #2 RB, but Latavius Murray will dominate touches.

Raiders RB Roy Helu has fallen behind after missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury.  “Right now, he’s got to create a role,” HC Jack Del Rio said. “Right now, he’s been on the shelf and been unable to do anything for us.”  Helu has had trouble staying healthy, missing 16 games over his first 4 NFL seasons.  But if he can stay on the field, he shouldn't have any trouble beating out Trent Richardson and Michael Dyer for the #2 spot on the depth chart.  That role will make Helu a potential PPR asset and a valuable handcuff behind the unproven Latavius Murray. 

ESPN's Matt Williamson expects RB Roy Helu to play a significant role for the Raiders this season.  “While he isn’t great in protection, I think he will be a very valuable piece and a quick safe option for Derek Carr in this up-tempo passing game and offense overall,” Williamson said. “Helu has been extremely productive on a per-snap basis.”  That he has.  Helu averaged an uber-impressive 5.4 yards per carry and 11.4 yards per catch last season.  He ranked 2nd in fantasy points per touch among the 82 RBs who recorded 50+ touches.  Williamson believes the Raiders could use Helu in a similar role as the Patriots used Shane Vereen, who totaled 148 touches last year.  That type of volume could easily land Helu among the top 30 RBs in PPR points.

Redskins RB Roy Helu (toe) is inactive for today's game against the Eagles.  He was listed as probable, so it's unclear if he suffered a setback in warmups or is a healthy scratch.  Either way, Silas Redd will get another game as Washington's pass-catching RB.