ALAMEDA – A disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a back seat Monday to putting together a roster so the Raiders can move forward in the second half of the season.

The Raiders will begin to prepare Wednesday for a difficult game in Baltimore, and they'll likely be without running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson, both of whom failed to finish a 42-32 loss Sunday to the Buccaneers because of high ankle sprains.

Coach Dennis Allen wouldn't rule out either player, but the recovery from even a mild high ankle sprain typically takes more than a week. McFadden underwent X-rays and an MRI that were negative, and Goodson was getting an MRI.

With only Taiwan Jones on the 53-man roster and Jeremy Stewart on the practice squad, Allen said bringing in another running back is a "possibility" and that "we'll talk over the different scenarios of what we can do and make a decision."

Considering the coaching staff has issues with Jones' ball security – he recovered his own fumble against Tampa Bay – the Raiders probably will look at running backs today.

One possibility is Ryan Grant, released by Washington on Oct. 23 and who played for the Green Bay Packers when general manager Reggie McKenzie was on the personnel staff there.

McFadden injured his right ankle on either his first or second carry but continued to play until he determined he couldn't anymore. He finished with 17 yards on seven carries and leads the Raiders in rushing with 455 yards on 139 carries, averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per attempt.

Last season, McFadden gained 614 yards on 113 attempts in seven games before a severe foot sprain ended his season. He has missed 17 games because of injury in his first four NFL seasons.

Promoting Stewart or signing a running back is complicated by the Raiders having two players eligible to return who are not on the 53-man roster.

Cornerback Ron Bartell has been on the "designated for return" injured reserve list since Week 1 with a broken shoulder blade. He will have his second week of practice and is eligible to return to the roster Saturday.

Linebacker Aaron Curry, who returned to practice Oct. 17, must either be reinstated to the 53-man roster, placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season or released by Wednesday.

Notes – Rookie third-round pick Tony Bergstrom might be in line to start at right tackle in place of Willie Smith. Smith gave up a sack to Michael Bennett and was called for holding on a play that negated a 47-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Derek Hagan.

Allen said starting right tackle Khalif Barnes, out since Week 2 with a groin injury that required surgery, is expected to be at practice Wednesday but is uncertain to be ready to play after just three practices.

• Free safety Matt Giordano, who strained a hamstring attempting to tackle Tampa Bay's Doug Martin at the end of a 67-yard touchdown run, believes he'll be ready to play against Baltimore. If not, Allen said, Michael Huff, a cornerback since Week 3, could move back to free safety. Huff could move anyway if Bartell is ready to play.

• Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant, who left the Bucs game with an accelerated heartbeat, was released from Eden Medical Center but won't practice Wednesday, Allen said. Doctors will monitor the situation before Bryant is cleared to play.

• Cornerback Shawntae Spencer (sprained foot) will do some running on the field today, but he probably won't be ready to play this week.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

• Read more articles by Jerry McDonald

Order Reprint