The Raiders have yet to place left guard Robert Gallery (lower back strain) on Injured Reserve and thus, make a corresponding roster move, but he has been deemed "out" for Sunday's game against Washington. Rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (sprained left foot) did not practice Friday and is "doubtful" while center Samson Satele (calf) and defensive end Greg Ellis (knee) both practiced limited and are "questionable."
Should DHB be unable to play, coach Tom Cable said Johnnie Lee Higgins would start in his place.
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Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynseworth (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday's game but that doesn't mean Cable is breathing a sigh of relief.
"They've got plenty of depth," Cable said. "They have good players along the front, but he's a good player. He makes a difference. Definitely a good player."
Washington defensive end Andre Carter has nine sacks.
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According to the Washington Post, former Raiders cornerback/Elvis "Toast" Patterson imitator DeAngelo Hall (knee) is also out, as is fullback Mike Sellers (thigh). Tailback Clinton Portis (concussion) was placed on IR earlier this week.
Washington will start a relatively unknown running back in the 5-foot-9, 214-pound Quinton Ganther, who has rushed for 88 yards on 19 carries this season. In his career, the third-year back, who had no carries in two games with Tennessee as a rookie, has 149 yards on 28 carries in 19 games.
"A cutback runner, he's a slasher but very explosive," Cable said. "So he's more than what they need.
"I think it's more their system that's the issue. They're pretty good at what they do. Good line in terms of the guys they put in for the injured people, have filled in pretty well."
Raiders middle linebacker and San Diego State product Kirk Morrison know Ganther all too well.
"He's a friend of mine," Morrison said. "He's from here in the Bay Area. Played Pop Warner against him. Definitely know him. He went to (the) Mountain West Conference, went to Utah. I know a lot about him so we follow each other's careers and we're real good friends. Had to help him out with tickets."
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