Raiders’ Kiffin keeps his backs guessing

OAKLAND – Dominic Rhodes stopped trying to figure out how many carries he would get at running back and accepted that his best chance to make a play for the Raiders might be on a kickoff return.

Because if the past three games are any indication, anticipating playing time for any Raiders running back is pointless.

“Now I just go in there knowing my role,” Rhodes said. “My role has been to basically do nothing, so that’s what I do. I’m always prepared, don’t get me wrong. If my name is called, I know what to do, but basically I’m here.”

As the Raiders’ running game has gone from effective to inept in three weeks, the rotation at tailback has been unpredictable.

Starter LaMont Jordan’s carries and production have tailed off since he aggravated a back injury Sept. 30 in Miami. He has 87 yards on 41 carries in the past three games.

Justin Fargas followed up a career-high 179 rushing yards in Miami with three carries in the next two games before running for 61 on 12 attempts last week against Tennessee.

Then there’s Rhodes, who was supposed to boost the running game after returning from a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He has nine carries for 21 yards and a catch for 10 yards – in one game. In two other games, Rhodes doesn’t have a carry.

There’s also fourth-round draft pick Michael Bush, who practiced for the first time Wednesday. The Raiders have three weeks from that day to activate him or else sit him out the rest of the season.

Bush has been on the reserve/physically unable to perform list while recovering from a broken leg suffered in college last September.

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