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Raiders forced to scramble after injuries

Published: Monday, Aug. 25, 2008 - 12:00 am | Page 9C

The Raiders' backup fullback started learning to play the position in training camp.

The Raiders' backup wide receivers have seven career receptions.

That's the situation now that receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O'Neal are out for the season with knee injuries.

The Raiders will have to scour the waiver wire or try to find a veteran waiting for a team to call to add stability to a depth chart short on experience.

Carter tore the ACL in his left knee after making a catch in the first quarter of the Raiders' 24-0 exhibition loss to the Arizona Cardinals at McAfee Coliseum.

O'Neal was hurt on the opening kickoff, and his injury could be career-ending. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin described it as "one of those ones you're glad TV cameras didn't pick up."

"I never want to say that (an injury is career-ending), but it's as bad as it can get as far as issues with the knee, according to (trainer) Rod (Martin)," Kiffin said.

Undrafted rookie Marcel Reece is the only fullback on the team behind starter Justin Griffith.

Kiffin hopes to add an experienced fullback to the roster this week because he doesn't want to rely on Reece.

"We really only have one (fullback) with Justin," Kiffin said. "(Reece) is a project. He was a receiver two months ago."

Carter was in line to be the starting receiver opposite Javon Walker. But as has been the case much of his career, a knee injury will sideline him.

Carter was expected to provide quarterback JaMarcus Russell with a big threat downfield. Carter and Russell had developed a good rapport dating to organized team activities.

"I believe this might be his fourth ACL maybe in his career," Kiffin said. "He's had a lot of tough breaks, injury-wise, so he was on a one-year contract so this was very tough for him."

Veterans such as Joe Horn and Koren Robinson are available. Kiffin would be inclined to play an experienced late addition ahead of Johnnie Lee Higgins (six career catches) or Todd Watkins (zero career catches).

"There are a number of guys out there," Kiffin said. "Another option is to wait either until a couple of days for these first cuts or even more for the last cuts. The last cuts, some good people are getting let go on some of the good teams."

Kiffin said starting cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and reserve safety Rashad Baker suffered ankle injuries Saturday that will keep them out of practice but aren't considered serious.

Kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who hasn't played in the exhibition season because of an injured hamstring, could play in Friday's exhibition finale in Seattle.

Punter Shane Lechler (quadriceps) is still out. Kiffin hopes rookie receiver Arman Shields (knee) can return to practice.


Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/ raidersblog.


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