ALAMEDA, Calif. -- New Oakland Raiders cornerback Demetrius McCray said he was often confused for Richard Sherman when he was with the Seattle Seahawks.

"All the coaches would get me and him mixed up," McCray said on Tuesday. "And all the players would get me and him mixed up, a lot."

The Raiders are hoping the physical resemblance between McCray, who was waived/injured after training camp by Seattle, and Sherman, a three-time first-team All-Pro, translates to on-the-field skill.

Especially with Oakland so woefully thin at cornerback with a spate of injuries to David Amerson (concussion), Gareon Conley (shin) and Antonio Hamilton (knee) and Sean Smith giving up deep balls with regularity.

McCray, a seventh-round pick by Jacksonville in 2013, played in 46 games and started 16 for the Jaguars in three seasons. He has six passes defended and 72 tackles with two stuffs but no career interceptions.

"That was a learning experience," he said. "It wasn't good in the win column but it was a learning experience. I got a chance to experience a lot of playing time."

The ankle injury he suffered with Seattle is healed now, he said, and he worked out for the Raiders last week before getting the call Sunday night at his Jacksonville home.

McCray arrived in Oakland on Monday night.

"I feel like I can contribute to this team, make it better," he said, calling himself a "real man-to-man corner.

"Gives me a chance to showcase my skills."

As such, he knows exactly about the Raiders' tradition of boasting bump-and-run cornerbacks.

"Oh, it's a rich history," he said. "I got a chance to meet Willie Brown and Rod Woodson, so I know a lot about the franchise."

The more recent vintage, though, is in need of a playmaker. Through five games, the Raiders have yet to get an interception.

"It's going to come," Amerson said of picks. "And when they come, they come in bunches."

And that, McCray said, is what he expects to bring to Oakland.

"Creating turnovers," McCray said. "Creating turnovers and getting the ball."