ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Josh McCown will start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders on Sunday in Jacksonville, with rookie JaMarcus Russell slated to come off the bench as a reserve.
Coach Lane Kiffin had considered giving Russell his first career start against the Jaguars and then bring in McCown to finish the game. Russell, the No. 1 overall draft pick in April, has played five series in two games as a reserve.
Kiffin said Russell could come in during the first half and possibly might finish the game depending on how the situation played out.
Russell played 16 plays in his debut Dec. 2 against Denver and nine plays last week against Indianapolis. He did not play at all in the cold in Green Bay in between those two games. Russell is 6-of-12 for 66 yards in his brief playing time for the Raiders (4-10).
Kiffin also said that Dominic Rhodes will start at running back in place of the injured Justin Fargas, with LaMont Jordan coming off the bench.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
