Raiders Blog and Q&A

by Matt Kawahara
mkawahara@sacbee.com

ALAMEDA -- Carson Palmer has yet to start a game with Darren McFadden in the backfield. Palmer said today he had heard a couple weeks ago that this would be the week McFadden returns to the field for the Raiders. That still could be the case, but McFadden did not participate in practice today and was not seen in the locker room.

The injury report was pretty extensive. McFadden (foot), receivers Jacoby Ford (foot), Denarius Moore (foot) and Chaz Schilens (foot), running back Taiwan Jones (foot) and defensive tackle John Henderson (knee) did not practice.

by Matt Kawahara
mkawahara@sacbee.com

ALAMEDA -- Raiders cornerback Chris Johnson was in the Dallas area on Wednesday following the "tragic death" of a family member, head coach Hue Jackson said.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Monday that Johnson's sister was killed and his mother wounded in a shooting Monday afternoon outside a Fort Worth apartment complex.

"It's very unfortunate," Jackson said Wednesday. "This is a game of football. The thing he's dealing with is a game of life. Very, very tough situation that he's dealing with. But the organization supports him, I support him, he'll get back here and be ready to go."

According to the Star-Telegram, an argument allegedly led to a 46-year-old man fatally shooting 33-year-old Jennifer Johnson and wounding 53-year-old Della Johnson.

The report cites friends of Jennifer Johnson saying that she was the sister of the Raiders' Chris Johnson. According to Chris Johnson's biography on the Louisville athletics website, he is the son of Della Johnson.

Jackson said he expects that Johnson will be back with the team for its game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

By Matt Kawahara
mkawahara@sacbee.com

OAKLAND - The following players were not seen at practice this morning:

WR Jacoby Ford (foot)
RB Taiwan Jones (hamstring)
RB Darren McFadden (foot)
WR Denarius Moore (foot)

Looked like LB Rolando McClain (ankle) was sitting to the side watching, while DT John Henderson was standing off with the defensive line.

DE Jarvis Moss (foot), inactive for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, was back practicing.

The Raiders also announced they've signed two players to their practice squad -- RB Lonyae Miller and LB Carl Ihenacho.

Full participation report to come later.

ALAMEDA - There really wasn't much to watch when Darren McFadden was on the field this morning.

He was just walking before the media headed to the locker room for interviews. If McFadden did more, he waited until the media could not see him.

But McFadden being on the field for even a light workout is a positive considering he hasn't practiced since spraining his foot Oct. 23.

OAKLAND - The Raiders beat the Chicago Bears, 25-20, to improve to 7-4 on the season, their best record through 11 games since 2002.

Sebastian Janikowski made a team-record six field goals in the win. Shane Lechler set a team record with an 80-yard punt.

Janikowski had made five field goals three times and shared that record with Jeff Jaeger.

OAKLAND - Sebastian Janikowski made two more field goals, giving him a team-record six as he remains the Raiders only source of offense.

The record breaker was a 44-yard make with 22 second left in the third quarter.

Janikowski had made five field goals more than once, the last time being Nov. 18, 2007 at Minnesota. Janikowski shared the team record with Jeff Jaeger.

The NFL record is eight by Tennessee's Rob Bironas. The way the Raiders have looked on offense in the red zone, there's a good chance Janikowski could tie or break the record today.

The Raiders have not scored a touchdown in four trips to the red zone. Oakland's average starting field position is their own 42, but they haven't turned that into touchdowns.

It helps that the Bears have been unable to take advantage of rushing for 146 yards already with touchdowns.

OAKLAND - Sebastian Janikowski's four field goals and three interceptions by Caleb Hanie have the Raiders out to a 12-7 lead at halftime.

The Bears were in position to score late in the first half when Hanie's pass for Matt Forte was deflected by Aaron Curry and intercepted by Kamerion Wimbley.

Wimbley returned the interception 73 yards to the Chicago 12 and had six yards added because he horse-collar tackled with 18 second left in the half.

The Raiders settled for a 19-yard kick by Janikowski on third down.

Carson Pamer is 10-of-18 for 133 yards and an interception for the Raiders. Hanie is 7-of-15 for 2 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions.

The Raiders have had problems blocking Julius Peppers. The Chicago defensive end has overpowered left tackle Jared Veldheer at times and already has two sacks.

The running game has not been a factor f or the Raiders. Oakland has just 24 rushing yards.

OAKLAND -- The Raiders have intercepted Chicago quarterback Caleb Hanie twice and lead 6-0 after the first quarter.

The Raiders have moved the ball on the Bears, but settled for field goals. Carson Palmer is 5-of-9 for 59 yards.

Sebastian Janikowski has made kicks from 40 and 48 yards.

Hanie is off to a ragged start. He is 3-of-8 for 25 yards with two interceptions. Stanford Routt and Michael Huff each have an interception for the Raiders.

Hanie is playing because Jay Cutler ha a broken thumb. Thus far he has harassed constantly.

Matt Forte has run for 32 yards for the Bears, 33 coming on one run.

OAKLAND -- The Raiders will be without two of their top wide receivers with Jacoby Ford (foot) and Denarius Moore (foot) inactive.

The other Raider inactives are: QB Jason Campbell, RB Darren McFadde, RB Taiwan Jones, G Bruce Campbell and DE Jarvis Moss.

Chicago's inactives are: QB Jay Cutler, QB Josh McCown, CB D.J. Moore, G Ricky Henry, TE Andre Smith, LB Jabara Williams, DT Anthony Adams.

ALAMEDA - The Raiders will be without Darren McFadden for the fourth consecutive game because of a sprained foot.

The news about McFadden is no surprise. He has not practiced since he injured his foot Oct. 23.

At this rate, the Raiders will simply need to hope he's healthy for the end of the season and the playoffs (assuming the Raiders can win the AFC West).

ALAMEDA - Corralling Devin Hester is like the Super Bowl for special teams units.

Hester, Chicago's record-setting kick/punt returner will be the focal point of the Raiders coverage units Sunday.

The Raiders have been vulnerable to punt returns - having given up two for scores this season.

ALAMEDA - Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is wearing a neck brace following his injury during Sunday's 27-21 win at Minnesota.

Raiders coach Hue Jackson said the third-year wide receiver sustained a concussion along with neck and back injuries. Heyward-Bey was taken off the field on a stretcher after falling and being kneed in the back of the head by Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson early in the fourth quarter.

Jackson did not give a timetable for when Heyward-Bey might return to the field.

"Obviously there's procedures when you're dealing with a concussion you have to go through," Jackson said. "So I think he's at the normal stages of that and then I think it's more let's see where this soreness exactly where it's located in his body and go from there too."

ALAMEDA - Darren McFadden made it out to the practice field today which constituted "huge" progress according to coach Hue Jackson even though McFadden did not actually practice.

"I (saw) Darren McFadden without a boot, standing out here with his teammates today for the first time in a long time," Jackson said. "So to me, that's huge progress. Again, to know exactly where that is, I'll walk in, see our medical people and find out exactly where he is."

ALAMEDA - If Darrius Heyward-Bey has a problem with not playing a lot against the Denver Broncos, he's doing a good job of not letting it show.

Even though he's the Raiders' leading receiver, Heyward-Bey said he wasn't surprised he didn't play as much and had one pass thrown to him.

"It's just the way the game plan went," Heyward-Bey said before the Raiders left for San Diego. "I wish we would have won. That's the most important thing. But other than that, no (surprise)."

Heyward-Bey said he prepares the same every week and that jealousy is not a factor among the wide receivers.

"In our room we love the fact that we're all good," Heyward-Bey said. "We feel that we're all starters in this league and we can make plays. That's the good thing about our group. We want everybody to succeed and we know everybody brings something to the table."

No comment

Raiders guard Stefen Wisniewski declined to discuss what is going on at Penn State, where he his father and uncle starred for coach Joe Paterno, who has been fired as part of the child sex abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

ALAMEDA - Here is the complete injury report for tomorrow's Raiders game at San Diego.

To the surprise of no one, running back Darren McFadden will his second game in a row with a strained right foot that still has him in a walking boot.

Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke is also out with a hamstring injury. Lito Sheppard will start in his place.

OUT: QB Jason Campbell (collarbone), CB Chris Johnson (groin, hamstring), RB Darren McFadden (foot), CB DeMarcus Van Dyke (hamstring).

QUESTIONABLE: T Khalif Barnes (shoulder), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), S Michael Huff (ankle), K Sebastian Janikowski (left hamstring), LB Rolando McClain (ankle), S Michael Mitchell (ankle), S Chinedum Ndukwe (knee), C Samson Satele (knee), DT Richard Seymour (ankle).

Huff was moving slowly and still wearing a walking boot in the locker room. He said if he feels "30 percent" or better he will play. Huff said he was at "31 percent" today.

PROBABLE: RB Rock Cartwright (calf), S Matt Giordano (neck), QB Carson Palmer (quadriccep), RB Marcel Reece (shoulder).

Chargers injury report

OUT: DE Luis Castillo (tibia), G Kris Dielman (concussion)

DOUBTFUL: WR Malcom Floyd (hip), LB Shaun Phillips (foot)