LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders have a punt return play called “Magic,” fitting for Tyreik McAllister, who wasn’t initially on coach Antonio Pierce’s radar before Friday night’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers but certainly should be now after a stellar performance.
McAllister returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in the third during the 24-24 tie.
“We’ve seen flashes in practice, but tonight he took it to another level,” Pierce said. “He took one to the house, made a great catch on the reception, and even showed his skills covering kicks. He moved the needle.”
McAllister, signed to a reserve/future contract in January, finished the game with two catches for 56 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown, and added one rush for seven yards.
He became only the second Raider to score a touchdown both on a punt return and via reception in a regular season or playoff game, a feat last achieved by Johnnie Lee Higgins against the Houston Texans in 2008.
“It felt great to go out there and make plays,” said McAllister, a Division II running back from Charleston who went undrafted in 2022. “We knew it was a big game, especially for the younger guys trying to leave a good impression in the final preseason game.”
McAllister, who had previous stints on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad and spent time with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023, honed his return skills before joining the Raiders. He switched to receiver upon joining the team, a transition he admitted wasn’t easy, having not played the position since his early college days.
His experience in both Denver and the CFL helped with his versatility, and he credited the wide receivers’ room and veteran Davante Adams for aiding his development as a receiver.
At 26, McAllister has shown the skill set to be a valuable asset for the Raiders, who will be seeking additional offensive weapons this season.
“He’s got some burst,” Pierce said. “Coming from the CFL as a running back with limited wide receiver experience, you can see how much he’s grown. He’s had a strong training camp.”
Asked if he feels he belongs on an NFL roster, McAllister confidently replied, “I believe I do. The decision isn’t mine, but I’ve put in the work. I’ve faced challenges from being on Denver’s practice squad to playing in the CFL, but I believe I have the ability to compete at this level.”
NFL teams have until Tuesday to reduce their rosters to 53 players.
