Put away the X-box, Derek Hagan is back.
The Raiders confirmed Thursday they had signed the veteran wide receiver to a contract to shore up a position group that could be short-handed when they open the regular season Monday night against the San Diego Chargers.
Hagan, 27, made the Raiders with a strong training camp as a possession receiver last season and played in six games, catching 11 passes for 114 yards. He was cut to make room for T.J. Houshmandzadeh and finished the season with 13 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown in four games with the Buffalo Bills.
A strong veteran presence, Hagan falls in line with the type of attitudes sought by general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen. Former coach Hue Jackson noted the serious nature displayed by Hagan during last year’s camp.
“He understands that instead of going in and playing X-Box at night and trying to figure out how to score on that video game, he goes in, takes his book, opens it and works on it,’’ Jackson said.
When asked about it by reporters, Hagan said, “I don’t play X-box too much. I do, but there’s no reason. We’re in training camp, and you shouldn’t even be playing video games. You got to get your study time in. This is my job, this is my profession and it’s something I love to do. I try to stick what I do best and that’s playing football.”
In seven seasons with Miami, the New York Giants, the Raiders and most recently Buffalo, Hagan has 109 receptions for 1,221 yards and six touchdowns. He played the final four games of the 2012 season in Buffalo with 13 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.
The Raiders also reportedly looked at veteran wide receiver Jabar Gaffney Wednesday as they could enter their season opener against the San Diego short on receivers.
Denarius Moore (hamstring) and Jacoby Ford (foot) have been out for extended periods of time and rookie Juron Criner (ankle) has been hobbling in practice.
To make room for Hagan on the roster, cornerback Coye Francies was waived.
