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)
ALAMEDA - There have been reports running back Darren McFadden is out for Thursday's game against the San Diego Chargers because of a foot strain.
Raider coach Hue Jackson said McFadden's status has not been determined.
"He's not ruled out yet," Jackson said. "Tomorrow we'll make that total determination exactly where he is."
ALAMEDA - So there's no conspiracy against Darrius Heyward-Bey or Kevin Boss.
How do we know? Coach Hue Jackson said so.
There was a lot of discussion as to why Heyward-Bey, the team's leading receiver, only had one pass thrown to him in Sunday's loss to Denver and Boss was a special teams player after being the starting tight end all season.
OAKLAND - The Raiders had great chance to prove they weren't the same old Raiders and they blew it.
And they know it.
That was the general feeling following Sunday's 38-24 loss to the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum, their second consecutive defeat.
OAKLAND - Willis McGahee closed the third quarter with a 60-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 24.
The play was set up by Carson Palmer's second interception. Palmer's pass to Denarius Moore was high and off Moore's hands and caught by Chris Harris off the deflection.
There were no punts in the third quarter and Palmer's interception was the only drive by either team that did not end with a score.
The Broncos scored first with a 26-yard touchdown pass by Tim Tebow to Eddie Royal. The Raiders answered when Palmer found Jacoby Ford for an 18-yard touchdown pass.
The Broncos then got scored on a 43-yard field goal by Matt Prater. Palmer was intercepted on the ensuing drive.
If you're keeping count, the Raiders are up to 11 penalties for 95 yards.
OAKLAND -Carson Palmer is looking better and has reclaimed title of best starting quarterback in this game.
Palmer has completed 7-of-14 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns to give the Raiders a 17-7 halftime lead. Palmer has been sacked once and also thrown an interception.
Michael Bush has 73 rushing yards on just 11 carries. Bush has a touchdown catch as does Marcel Reece, who scored on a 40-yards pass against tight coverage over the middle.
Tim Tebow's hot start has cooled considerably. Tebow started 3-of-4, but is now 6-of-16 for 48 yards. Tebow leads Denver with 48 rushing yards.
The Raider have nine penalties for 85yards already. If not for that, they might be up by more.
OAKLAND - After 15 minute of football the best quarterback on the field is Tim Tebow.
Tebow found Eric Decker for a 27-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos a 7-3 lead after the first quarter
Tebow completed 3-of-4 passes for 38 yard. Tebow also has 39 rushing yards, 32 coming on the scoring drive late in the first quarter.
Palmer has been erratic in his first start, connecting on two of seven passes for 39 yards. Three passes were I danger of being intercepted and one was badly overthrown.
Michael Bush has 46 rushing yard on six carries for the Raiders.
Raiders
QB Terrelle Pryor
QB Jason Campbell
RB Darren McFadden
CB Chimdi Chekwa
CB Chris Johnson
G Bruce Campbell
TE David Ausberry
Broncos
S Rafael Bush
CB Cassius Vaughn
FB Quinn Johnson
G Manny Ramirez
T Tony Hills
TE Virgil Green
DE Derrick Harvey
ALAMEDA - In today's media climate, athletes are usually coached or afraid to say anything that's not a cliché or safe.
So today, I give Raiders defensive end Jarvis Moss credit. He was honest and funny when discussing his former college teammate, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow.
Here's part of Moss' exchange with the media discussing Tebow:
ALAMEDA -- Raiders running back Darren McFadden has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos with a right foot sprain.
McFadden was the NFL's leading rusher heading into the Raiders' Oct. 23 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but left the game in the first quarter with the injury.
McFadden's 614 rushing yards are eighth in the NFL.
Michael Bush will start at running back and be backed up by rookie Taiwan Jones.
ALAMEDA - If you questioned why the Raider drafted Taiwan Jones back in April, this week should answer that.
Darren McFadden has missed at least three games in each of his first three games so having another running back can't hurt.
And from the looks of things McFadden won't be available when the Raiders host the Denver Broncos Sunday.
ALAMEDA - New Raiders wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn't want this to be what NFL fans remember him for:
Houshmandzadeh still is bothered that his lone season with Baltimore ended in this fashion.
ALAMEDA - It appears wide receiver Derek Hagan is the roster casualty that allowed the Raiders to add T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Houshmandzadeh was at practice this morning, wearing No. 84.
Hagan caught 11 passes for 114 yards this season after being the team's leading receiver in the preseason. He was not on the practice field. No official announcement yet, but the Raiders had to release a player to sign Houshmandzadeh.
*Running back Darren McFadden (foot), linebacker Rolando McClain (ankle) and kicker Sebastian Janikowski (hamstring) were not participating in the portion of practice open to the media.
By Jason Jones
jjones@sacbee.com
The Raiders signed veteran wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh after a workout Tuesday.
Houshmandzadeh, 34, worked out with Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer before he was traded to Oakland.
Palmer and Houshmandzadeh were teammates in Cincinnati.
The Associated Press is reporting:Houshmandzadeh, 34, had been out of the league since playing with Baltimore last season but had been working out in Southern California with Palmer before the Raiders (4-3) acquired the quarterback last month.
Houshmandzadeh is also very familiar with Raiders coach Hue Jackson, who was the receivers coach in Cincinnati for three years during Houshmandzadeh's tenure there.
Houshmandzadeh averaged 89 catches over a five-year span in Cincinnati. His best season came in 2007, when he caught a career-high 112 passes for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns.
But he struggled after leaving the Bengals. He had 79 catches for 911 yards and three touchdowns in Seattle in 2009 before bottoming out last season with the Ravens when he had only 30 catches for 398 yards and three touchdowns.
