Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 05:27 PM

Raiders could be without Burgess, Warren against San Diego

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The last two years, Derrick Burgess has been the Raiders' most productive defensive lineman. But with a lingering calf injury that began nearly a month ago, the Pro Bowl end is lucky just to get on the practice field.

He's not the only Oakland defensive lineman hurting, either. Gerard Warren, who leads the team with three sacks and has been a force in the middle since moving into the lineup in Week 3, hasn't practiced since sustaining a thigh injury during a team drill last Thursday.

Missing two starters up front is not exactly the way the Raiders want to face a potent San Diego offense coming off its most productive game of the year.

"It is what it is," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said Thursday. "Guys will need to step up. We're prepared to go without them. It looks like it's going to go that way, so we'll have guys step up just like we would for any of our positions."

Burgess had 27 sacks over the past two seasons and had hoped to parlay that success into a new deal with the Raiders this past offseason. Instead, he has just one tackle in two games and has not played since leaving the fourth quarter of Oakland's 23-20 overtime loss to Denver on Sept. 16 with the calf injury.

Earlier this week, Kiffin indicated Burgess might be able to start against the Chargers. But he backed off on Wednesday when the veteran defensive end was unable to finish practice. Burgess went through a minimal workout Thursday but did not take part in the entire practice.

Warren, obtained in a trade from Denver in the preseason, has sparked a pass rush that was nonexistent the first two weeks of the season. The 29-year-old former first-round draft pick has missed only five games in six-plus seasons in the NFL.

If neither Burgess nor Warren is able to play against San Diego, the Raiders would be down to just six healthy defensive lineman. Rookie Jay Richardson has started the last two games in place of Burgess while Terdell Sands, who was benched to make way for Warren earlier this year, will likely get the call against the Chargers.

Oakland could also activate defensive tackle Josh Shaw from its practice squad. The Raiders have a roster spot available after releasing safety B.J. Ward earlier Thursday.

"We talk all the time about preparing as if you're the starter and so whoever gets the opportunity, go in there and seize the opportunity and don't look back," Kiffin said.

Notes: RB LaMont Jordan, who has been plagued by a lower back injury since training camp, was unable to finish practice for a second straight day. He hasn't been ruled out for San Diego.