Raiders coach Tom Cable said running back Michael Bush practiced without limitations Friday and listed him as “probable” to face the Arizona Cardinals.
Players listed as “probable” almost always play. On Sunday, Bush will have had 27 days to recover from surgery to insert screws into a fracture at the base of his left thumb, a procedure which normally takes four to six weeks to recover.
Asked if it would be a game-time decision on Bush, Cable said, “No, he’s going. I think the game-time decision is on (John) Henderson.”
Bush may not be limited, but his role could be.
“That remains to be seen,” Cable said. “He obviously did everything this week. He’s done a little bit the last two weeks. We’ll go in there and be smart about where and when we use him.”
That means the Raiders are likely to give Darren McFadden another heavy workload. He 24 touches in Week 1 (17 carries, six pass receptions) and a career-high 30 carries in Week 2 against St. Louis, including 20 for 107 yards in the second half.
Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said he told McFadden before the game to be prepared for 30 carries, and he could be in that neighborhood again Sunday.
“Sure, if the game dictates that, you bet it’s possible,” Cable said. “Once you’ve done that _ and he’s done it a couple of times in college before _ most of those guys are used to having high numbers. He responded well.”
Henderson was in a boot Monday with a foot injury he said wasn’t serious. Cable said the foot hasn’t gotten much better during the course of the week. Safety Hiram Eugene (hamstring), cornerback Chris Johnson (ankle) and cornerback Walter McFadden are also questionable.
Listed as probable along with Bush is linebacker Ricky Brown (hamstring) and defensive tackle Richard Seymour. Listed as out are left guard Robert Gallery, linebacker Travis Goethel and wide receiver Chaz Schilens.
The Raiders worked out safety Jerome Boyd Thursday.
