ALAMEDA, Calif. -- A league source and multiple Raiders players indicated on Friday that Kyle Boller is likely to start at quarterback for Oakland against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, although no final decision has been made.
There was heavy speculation throughout the week that veteran Carson Palmer, who was acquired in a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, would start just five days after joining the team. Boller's familiarity with the offense and his teammates, however, seems to have prevailed for a 4-2 team hoping to keep pace with the AFC West-leading San Diego Chargers.
Coach Hue Jackson said Friday he had already decided on a starter and the team knew his decision. But Jackson isn't making that information public, and said he could even use multiple quarterbacks. It remains unclear whether Palmer would play at some point in the game even if he doesn't start.
"Whatever decision I make somebody is going to go in there and play well," Jackson said. "They've done a great job in practice, but obviously somebody's got to trot out there first and that's what we'll do when that time comes."
Said wideout Jacoby Ford: "We've got to get him into rhythm just to get him going, get him in the flow of the game -- that helps us, too. The running game, we've got to get that going, go out there and block on the edge. That's something we've been doing extremely well in our receiver room. We've got to do whatever we can to get Kyle into rhythm, and then we'll be in good shape."
Other than Boller and Palmer, rookie Terrelle Pryor is the other healthy quarterback on the roster. Jason Campbell, who sustained a broken collarbone that spurred the trade for Palmer, is likely to be out for the remainder of the regular season.
Palmer, who ran additional wind sprints after practice, made a brief stop in the locker room.
"I'm getting as prepared as I can, and I'm excited by the opportunity to run on the field -- let alone have a chance to play," he said.
The problematic hamstring of kicker Sebastian Janikowski also led the team to work out three kickers Friday, reported NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora. Janikowski did not practice Friday and was listed as questionable. According to a team official, one of the kickers could still be signed before the game.
Follow Steve Wyche on Twitter @wyche89. The Associated Press contributed to this report
