McCown's injury leaves Raiders' QB situation in limbo

ALAMEDA -- Quarterback drama and the Raiders are synonymous these days.

There's Josh McCown's bad left foot. There's also his bad right foot.

Former quarterback of the future Andrew Walter is counting down his last days with the team.

Daunte Culpepper might start against the team that cut him in July when the Raiders play in Miami on Sunday.

And don't forget JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders released cornerback Duane Starks to get the new future franchise quarterback onto the 53-man roster after their two-week roster exemption expired Monday.

The Raiders will carry four quarterbacks instead of the usual three -- for now.

"There's still a number of variables where that could stay four, that could go to three, that we're looking into," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said.

McCown hurt his left foot during the first quarter of Sunday's win over Cleveland and left the game at halftime. He came into the game nursing a sprained right foot.

With two bad feet, McCown's status as the starter is uncertain. Kiffin wouldn't rule out McCown playing Sunday.

"Josh's injury right now isn't clear enough," Kiffin said. "We need more information on it."

Kiffin also didn't rule out Walter being traded this week, regardless of McCown's situation.

If Walter is gone this week and McCown can't play, it would mean a quick rise up the depth chart for Russell, who is in his third week with the team.

Playing a rookie quarterback -- especially one who missed all of training camp -- would be a figurative white flag in the view of veterans tired of losing. But if Walter is gone, McCown is hurt and Culpepper goes down, the Russell era could start faster than anyone planned.

"JaMarcus could go from four to two (on the depth chart)," Kiffin said.

Knowing this was a possibility, the Raiders worked out Russell last Tuesday -- the players' off day -- to get him caught up after he missed all of training camp.

Another extra practice is planned today.

"Doesn't matter," Russell said of when he plays. "I'm just trying to make myself ready whenever coach calls on me."

Kiffin didn't rule out Walter still being a Raider and having to play Sunday. He said he recently has had regular conversations with Walter about his future.

It became obvious during training camp when the Raiders signed Culpepper that Walter's Raiders tenure would end once Russell signed. Now Walter's time with the team could hinge on the results of tests on McCown's foot.

It has been a quick fall for Walter, who this time last year was billed as the young arm the Raiders would build around.

"Sometimes things are just unlucky for a guy," Kiffin said. "In a way he's not having very good luck with JaMarcus' holdout, and now a trade possibility coming up and Josh's injury maybe set that back. He understands. It is what it is. He also could be winning the game for us Sunday as well."

About the writer:

• The Bee's Jason Jones can be reached at jejones@sacbee.com.