ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders once again aren't
saying who their starting quarterback will be. This time the issue
is Josh McCown's health, not an attempt at a competitive advantage.
Coach Lane Kiffin kept secret his decision to start McCown over
Daunte Culpepper in last week's opener against Detroit, hoping to
make the Lions prepare for two quarterbacks.
McCown got the nod based on his better knowledge of the offense
and went 30-for-40 for 313 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-21 loss
to the Lions. He also threw two interceptions and fumbled late in
the game to kill the Raiders' attempt at a comeback.
McCown did not participate in team drills in practice Wednesday
because of an injured right index finger and a sprained right foot.
He hurt his finger on the final play of the opener when he hit
the helmet of offensive lineman Cornell Green on his
follow-through. He threw before and after practice with gloves on
both hands and said he felt fine. He also hurt his foot in the
first half.
"That's more the concern," McCown said. "It's pretty sore.
It's actually very sore. It's kind of day to day and try to get
back into it so I can get better at pushing off on it."
Culpepper played with the first team in practice and would start
against Denver if McCown can't go. Culpepper didn't join the
Raiders until July 31 and wasn't as familiar with the offense.
However, he looked good in preseason as he tries to regain his Pro
Bowl form.
Kiffin said his decision on this week's starter would depend on
when McCown could return to practice but that Culpepper would be
ready to start if needed. Andrew Walter is the third-stringer,
while newly signed top draft pick JaMarcus Russell has a two-week
exemption until he needs to be placed on the roster.
"I have great confidence in all our quarterbacks, especially
the first two in Josh and Daunte," Kiffin said. "As I said
before, I feel both of them can put us in a situation to win."
Receiver Ronald Curry, who had 10 catches for 133 yards and a
score in the opener, said it didn't matter much to him which
quarterback played Sunday in Denver because he had worked with all
of them in training camp.
"If it was Week 15 or something it would, but we just broke
camp and have been working with different guys, nobody was a
solidified starter at receiver or quarterback spot so you pretty
much work with Josh, Andrew and Pep at the same time," Curry said.
"So I'm pretty much comfortable with anybody that's up in there."