ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders are holding out hope that starting running back Latavius Murray’s ailing right foot will heal enough that he will be able to play in Sunday’s home game against the San Diego Chargers.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Wednesday night that Murray, a Pro Bowler last season, was doubtful to play.
“I know he’s working extremely hard at it,” Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Thursday. “They’re working with his shoes and things like that to help him in that regard. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Murray, who leads Oakland with 172 rushing yards on 40 carries with three rushing touchdowns, wore a protective boot on Tuesday and Wednesday but was out of the boot on Thursday.
If Murray, who was responsible for 75 percent of Oakland’s rushes last season, is indeed out against the Chargers, rookies DeAndre Washington (147 rushing yards on 23 carries) and Jalen Richard (144 yards on 17 attempts, with a 75-yard TD), will carry the load.
Musgrave praised the flexibility the two give the Raiders.
“It’s helped us immensely,” he said. “They’re so sharp in pass protection as well as when we get them in the passing game. We get them out, throw balls to them.”
Washington, the team’s fifth-round draft pick from Texas Tech, has six receptions for 37 yards while Richard, an undrafted free agent from Southern Mississippi, has five catches for 39 yards. And despite them both being 5-foot-8, they have different skill sets.
“Believe me, we’re looking at it with a very fine eye each and every day they’re in the film room because we want to do things that are right and stick with their strengths,” Musgrave said. “I don’t think we’re setting any limitations or putting them in any corner or any box right now. We’re enjoying them being as productive as they are.
“They’ve gotten some valuable experience.”
