National Football League

Saffold fails physical, Raiders deal voided; return to Rams reportedly next

Published Mar. 12, 2014 10:42 p.m. ET

Ross Jones

A day after the Raiders agreed to terms with Rodger Saffold, the offensive tackle failed his physical, voiding his five-year, $42.5 million deal.

Instead, Saffold will return to St. Louis, where he was drafted in 2010, after agreeing to a five-year deal, according to media reports.

Saffold, who has missed 17 games during his four-year career, drew concerns from the Raiders about his shoulder, his agents Alan Herman and Jared Fox told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. But Herman and Fox also told Schefter the Rams had "no concerns whatsoever" about the injury.

The Raiders allowed homegrown talent, such as offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, to leave via free agency in hopes of finding a franchise tackle that suited their system. Despite signing former Jets offensive tackle Austin Howard to a five-year deal on Wednesday, the Raiders must decide what to do to fill the vacancy to protect their quarterback’s blindside.