Raiders to Face 49ers with Keenan on Active Roster
Tim Keenan has been elevated to the Las Vegas Raiders' active roster for a third straight game ahead of Sunday's matchup in Santa Clara.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
The Las Vegas Raiders have elevated former Alabama defensive tackle Tim Keenan to the active roster for the third straight game. Keenan recorded his first sack in a 38-33 Raiders victory over the New York Jets and will play again when the team faces the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Santa Clara.
Why it matters
Keenan's repeated elevations give the Raiders added defensive depth without a permanent roster commitment. The arrangement reflects the rules governing practice squad players, who can be elevated three times before the team must sign them.
Under team transaction rules, Keenan has now used all three permitted elevations, so a fourth appearance would require the Raiders to sign him. The source does not indicate whether a signing is planned.
The players
Tim Keenan
Keenan is a former Alabama defensive tackle who was drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams and later joined the Las Vegas Raiders.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional football franchise of the National Football League based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional football franchise of the National Football League based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The details
Keenan, a former Alabama defensive tackle, was a seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams before the Rams cut him prior to the 2026 season. He joined the Raiders on September 7, made his first appearance with the team against the Rams on October 25, and recorded his first sack in the Raiders' 38-33 win over the Jets.
Timeline
September 7, 2026: Keenan joined the Raiders.
October 25, 2026: Keenan saw his first action with the Raiders against the Rams.
November 1, 2026: Keenan recorded his first sack in a win over the Jets.
November 8, 2026: The Raiders face the 49ers in Santa Clara.
Season Trajectory
The NFL's practice squad elevation rules let teams add depth for short stretches without full contracts. Keenan's three elevations show how the Raiders are using that flexibility during a season in which defensive depth is being tested.
Keenan's status affects Raiders depth at defensive tackle for Sunday's game. Fantasy managers tracking Raiders defensive players should monitor whether he is elevated again or signed to the full roster.
The takeaway
Roster elevation rules let teams test young linemen in live games while preserving flexibility for future decisions. Watch whether the Raiders convert Keenan to a full contract after this week.
What happens next
The Raiders play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, where Keenan's status for a fourth elevation or a signing will be tested.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Football coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Al.
