ALAMEDA – With just three sacks through three games, the Raiders brought in reinforcements Wednesday, signing free-agent veteran defensive end Andre Carter.

Carter had 10 sacks last season while playing for New England, raising his total for his 11-year career to 76, eighth-highest among active players. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a starter, but he suffered a torn quadriceps Dec. 18 that caused him to miss the final two games and the playoffs, and the Patriots did not re-sign him.

The Raiders brought Carter in for two workouts – once during training camp in Napa and once at their headquarters in Alameda – before signing him in hopes he can return to pre-injury form. Offensive tackle Joe Barksdale was cut to make room on the active roster.

"I think they knew I was up to speed, but at the same time there were some decisions they had to make," Carter said Wednesday. "But at least I went into the open saying, 'Hey, I'm ready, and I'm moving better.' "

While it will likely take time for Carter to familiarize himself with the Raiders' defense, the former 49ers first-round pick out of Cal said he feels as if he could contribute Sunday against Denver.

"I'd certainly hope so," Carter said. "If I wasn't ready, then I wouldn't be here."

After he was carted off the field during the Patriots' Week 15 game at Denver, Carter said his wife rushed into the locker room and asked him, "What do you want to do?"

"I said, 'I'm not done, yet,' " Carter recalled. "Whatever seed, whatever God was planting in my head, I knew I could give more. It was definitely a fight. It was a battle every day."

Carter, 33, said he went through a rigorous rehabilitation to get back into shape and that beginning this season without a team "definitely gives you a different perspective."

Carter could help form a formidable front with veteran tackles Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly. Seymour, drafted sixth overall by the Patriots in 2001 – one pick ahead of Carter – said he sees Carter being "instrumental" on the line.

"I mean, he's a proven guy in this league," Seymour said. "Obviously, it will take some time to get his legs under him, but he's a guy that's shown he can rush the passer, and I think that will be essential for us."

Et cetera – Pittsburgh safety Ryan Mundy reportedly was fined $21,000 by the league for the helmet-to-helmet hit that sent Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to the hospital with a concussion and neck strain Sunday. Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Heyward-Bey was at the team's facility Wednesday participating in meetings.

• Tight end Brandon Myers, who also suffered a concussion Sunday, practiced Wednesday but was prohibited from contact while he works through the league's concussion protocol.

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