by Dennis J. GeorgatosFiled under: Raiders, AFC West, NFL Injuries
The Raiders will probably be without their top defensive player, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in a key divisional game.Asomugha, who sprained his right ankle late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 33-3 win over Seattle, missed a third consecutive practice on Friday and was listed as doubtful. Officially, that means there's a 75 percent chance that he won't play.
Coach Tom Cable said if Asomugha is unable to go, cornerback Chris Johnson, who returned to practice this week after missing last week's game because of a concussion, would start in his place opposite Stanford Routt. Jeremy Ware would slide into the nickel back slot vacated by Johnson.
Cable said he did not anticipate making any schematic changes defensively to compensate for the anticipated absence of Asomugha.
"With Chris back, he and Stanford and Jeremy, we're fine," Cable said.
Meanwhile, quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder sprain) took part in practice on a limited basis Friday and was upgraded to probable, though Cable announced Thursday that Jason Campbell would make his fourth consecutive start in place of the injured Gradkowski.
Cable noted that Gradkowski was not yet ready to participate fully in practice this week and, without being specific, wasn't quite to the point in his recovery where he could do everything that might be required of him on the field on game day.
Cable said he would decide after watching Gradkowski throw some passes in pre-game warm-ups whether to list him as the No. 2 quarterback behind Campbell or have Kyle Boller fill that role and designate Gradkowski as the inactive or third quarterback.
Defensive lineman Johns Henderson (foot), and wide receivers Chaz Schilens (knee) and Louis Murphy (bruised lung) all have been ruled out.
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