Jordan might get his wish
(11-20) 19:54 PST Alameda - -- Raiders running back Lamont Jordan asked the team to release him this week, and he just might get his wish.
Jordan told team officials Monday he wanted out after being benched the past two games, a source familiar with the situation said on the condition of anonymity.
If the Raiders decide to release Jordan, they won't have to look far for a replacement. They must activate rookie running back Michael Bush by 1 p.m. today or place him on the season-ending injured reserve list.
Coach Lane Kiffin said the team hasn't decided what to do with Bush, but if it wants to add him to the 53-man roster, a current player must go - and Jordan has already raised his hand for that.
Jordan's request came after being put on the inactive list for Sunday's 29-22 loss at Minnesota - the first time he did not suit up when healthy in three seasons with Oakland, including his 1,000-yard debut in 2005.
He started the first four games of this season before injuring his back at Miami, where he had 15 carries for 74 yards in the first half. At the time, he ranked among the top five in NFL rushing.
Jordan started the next two games, but with 71 yards on 29 carries, lost his starting job to Justin Fargas. Jordan followed that with 16 carries for 26 yards as a backup the next two games.
Kiffin said the move has more to do with Fargas' production than anything Jordan has done, but now even Fargas is struggling. The career backup gained 141 yards on 45 carries for a 3.1-yard average the past two games.
Jordan, meanwhile, is just standing around, stuck on 129 carries for 521 yards - 25th-best in the NFL despite not starting for four weeks. His 230 receiving yards is sixth most by a running back, and his 159-yard rushing game at Denver ranks ninth this season.
Now that Jordan has asked for his release, the Raiders face two choices: Drop Jordan with nothing in return because the trade deadline was last month, or keep a disgruntled player at a time players are increasingly grumbling about the six-game losing streak and 2-8 record.
If the Raiders decide to release Jordan, today would be the perfect time because of the situation with Bush, Oakland's fourth-round draft pick in April.
Bush is coming back from breaking his leg at the start of his senior season at Louisville. He spent training camp on the "Physically Unable to Perform" list. When the season started, Bush was put on the "Reserve/Non-Football Injury" list as he continued his rehabilitation.
With Fargas as an every-down back and Dominic Rhodes as a backup, the Raiders could afford to ease Bush in if they give him Jordan's roster spot. It's not like Kiffin uses three tailbacks - only once have Fargas, Jordan and Rhodes touched the ball in the same game.
There remains a possibility that Rhodes gets cut to make room for Bush, if only because Kiffin has hardly used him. The former Colts starter has three carries in the past four games.
One reason the Raiders will keep them all: the chance Jordan or Rhodes ends up at a divisional foe.
The Chiefs could be without Larry Johnson the rest of the season. Jordan played for Herm Edwards with the Jets and remains close to the Chiefs' coach.
Lamont Jordan might get his wish - To Be Released
Lamont Jordan might get his wish - To Be Released
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