Gerard

Warren

He sounds unlikely to play in week five.

Both starters have missed multiple weeks with their injuries.

Since it’s only a partial tear and Warren was playing very well, Oakland will likely strongly consider keeping him on the active roster. However, they’ll need to add another tackle behind Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands.

Warren had a sack and two tackles for a loss before leaving. He spent much of the game tormenting Browns center Alex Mack by twisting the rookie’s fingers and hands when the refs weren’t looking.

As predicted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Warren didn’t survive the offseason with a $5.925 million roster bonus due next week. Though he can still get after quarterbacks, the 32-year-old has been a major liability against the run. Desmond Bryant is expected to take his place in the starting lineup.

Warren is coming off a poor season as a run defender and turns 32 this summer. With Al Davis in cost-cutting mode of late, Warren’s time with the Raiders appears to be up.

The Fargas cut comes as a surprise, considering his standing with coach Tom Cable. Then again, all the Raiders’ moves of late have been head-scratchers. Fargas has been a replacement-level back blocking a potentially premier all-around talent in Michael Bush for the past two seasons, so the team will be better off without him. Pending further backfield moves, Fargas’ release will also boost the fantasy stock of Darren McFadden.

Oakland may have overpaid Sands when they gave him a nice deal in the offseason. Warren put together a big game and should stay in the starting lineup. Stanford Routt also replaced Fabian Washington at cornerback, and the moves appeared to work decently well.

Warren was rushing the passer well before going down with a thigh injury three weeks ago. Terdell Sands will replace him with the first-team unit. Robert Thomas will take over for Williams at strong-side linebacker.

Has the ice thawed in Mike Shanahan and Al Davis’ relationship? Denver must be confident Warren won’t help Oakland to deal him to a bitter rival. The Broncos will only get the draft pick if he’s on the roster in Week 1. Warren had a fine 2005 season, but has been inconsistent as a pro.