ALAMEDA, Calif. — If Bruce Gradkowski is unable to start at quarterback for the Raiders this weekend, coach Tom Cable isn’t quite ready to name former starter JaMarcus Russell as his No. 1 QB against the Broncos.
“Right now, it’s about finding out where Bruce is at,” Cable said Monday. “If in fact he’s not ready to go, then how do we win the next three football games, period. It’s not about this or that, or anyone’s opinion. It will be mine and that’s what we’ll do.”
Gradkowski missed the second half of Sunday’s 34-13 loss to the Redskins because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee and a partially torn MCL in his right knee. Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, returned to the field for the first time since losing his starting job last month but was unable to get the Raiders offense moving.
Cable said he considered replacing Russell with third- stringer Charlie Frye late in the game and did not rule Frye out as an option this week if Gradkowski is unable to go Sunday. Cable said he hoped to have a decision by Wednesday.
“I’ll do what’s best for this team, what gives us the best chance to win,” Cable said. “Right now, it’s to figure out where Bruce is at here in the next 24 to 48 hours and then make that decision.”
Also, tight end Zach Miller (concussion) and safety Michael Huff (stinger) are day to day because of injuries, while receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who has missed two games with a sprained foot, is making only minimal progress in his recovery and his status is unknown for this week.
