[Buckskin86]

Raiders rookie defensive end moves into starting lineup
Receiver Dwight fields punts, kicks; Bush practices
By Steve Corkran
Bay Area News Group
Article Launched: 11/01/2007 01:44:08 AM PDT

Rookie defensive end Jay Richardson worried about whether he would make the Raiders' 53-man roster out of training camp. His biggest concern now is telling his left from his right.

That's a good thing for Richardson. Focusing on where he is lined up in the Raiders' defense only means that he is versatile, valuable and the most viable option whenever a starting end goes down with an injury.

Richardson filled in for left end Derrick Burgess earlier this season. Now he is being counted on to replace right end Tommy Kelly for the rest of the season.

"I don't get as many pregame jitters now," Richardson said, when asked if he's ready for a heightened role. "It's starting to become second nature, just like it was in college, almost."

Coach Lane Kiffin on Wednesday confirmed that Kelly is out for the season because of a right-knee injury sustained against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The Raiders say it will be difficult for Richardson or anyone else to replace Kelly. Richardson received a taste of what to expect when he replaced Kelly on Sunday.

"As soon as Tommy went out, I went in there and the next three plays went right at me," he said. "That's what I'm expecting and that's what I have to be ready for on Sunday" against Houston.

Kiffin said he expects Kelly to be placed on injured-reserve today.

"The last two games, specifically, he had played extremely well and was making some plays," Kiffin said. "It's unfortunate."

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_7338269