Raiders Activate Jamarcus Russell
The Oakland Raiders quarterback situation just got a little more muddled Monday when top pick JaMarcus Russell was added to the roster and starter Josh McCown's status was in doubt because of a sore foot.
Those factors have put third-stringer Andrew Walter in limbo. The Raiders have talked to teams about trading Walter, who started eight games last season, but don't want to make a move until they know if McCown is healthy.
After starting the offseason as the only quarterback on the roster, Walter has watched as the Raiders traded for McCown, drafted Russell and signed Daunte Culpepper. Expecting to get a chance with a new team after Russell had to be added to the roster, Walter instead found out he would have to wait longer.
The Raiders released cornerback Duane Starks to make room for Russell, and will keep four quarterbacks for now.
"I've been talking to him through this whole thing," coach Lane Kiffin said Monday. "Sometimes things are just unlucky for a guy. 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."
The starter this week at Miami is still in doubt.
McCown started the first three games, but was replaced in the second half of Sunday's 26-24 win over Cleveland by Culpepper after sustaining an injured left foot in the first half.
McCown, who injured his right foot in the season opener, was limping around after the game and Kiffin said he did not know how much he'd be able to practice this week.
"Josh got banged around in that game pretty good," Kiffin said. "It's his other foot. I will have a clearer idea of it for you guys by Wednesday. But we have to figure out is Josh able to play and if he is able to play, how much can he do."
McCown is 44-for-68 for 494 yards and four touchdowns this season, but has also thrown five interceptions.
Culpepper was solid in relief, going 8-for-14 for 118 yards and leading two scoring drives without turning the ball over. He joined the team July 31 and had a limited playbook because he had very little practice with the first team last week.
"If Daunte is the starter he will get better because he'll have a full week of reps," Kiffin said.
Culpepper lost out to McCown for the starting job because he wasn't as familiar with the offense. Kiffin praised Culpepper's performance in that aspect, saying he avoided delay of game penalties, changed plays at the line of scrimmage and protected the ball.
"I feel very comfortable in this offense right now," Culpepper said. "The more I do it, the more comfortable I am in it. Being here every day, not having to play gave me an opportunity to absorb it a little more. I feel like I'm ready whenever I'm called on."
Culpepper, who was named to three Pro Bowls in Minnesota , was released in July by the Dolphins. He was slowed by a knee injury in his one season in Miami but said it would hold no special meaning playing his former team.
"To me, they're just another team," he said. "They're just the next name on the schedule."
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