Louis

Rankin

With Javon Walker (knee) also out, Todd Watkins will be the Raiders No. 4 receiver. Louis Rankin will be the kick returner.

Rankin was hesitant on his kick returns and wasn’t being used on offence. Johnathan Holland’s activation and Justin Fargas’ return made him expendable.

Rankin, who went undrafted last April, flashed in the 2008 preseason and can return kicks. Beat writer Jason Jones suggests that Justin Fargas could be cut later this offseason if Oakland wants to get Rankin more involved.

A surprising addition considering Rankin doesn’t return kicks and the three regular Oakland tailbacks aren’t on the injury report. Rankin, who performed well on the preseason as an undrafted free agent, may get a handful of carries before the season is out. Sunday against New England isn’t likely the time for it.

An explosive undrafted rookie, Rankin will get a shot to make the club in the offseason, but would probably need either Justin Fargas to get cut or Michael Bush to be traded to have a real chance. Few teams carry three tailbacks into a season. There’s also a chance that Bush could convert to fullback.

11 is the largest futures haul of any team to date. Rankin has some potential as a kick returner. Porter runs an exceptional fort-yard dash time (go figure). The Raiders appear to be converting Scott from safety to linebacker.

He gives Seattle another option to return kicks with Josh Wilson (high ankle sprain) out indefinitely. Rankin probably won’t help in the backfield.

This should be the end of the line for the potential Hall of Famer. The 31-year-old was averaging just 2.7 yards on 46 carries compared to 5.7 for Justin Forsett and 3.9 for starter Julius Jones. Forsett moves up to No. 2 on the depth chart, with Louis Rankin as the third back. James is unlikely to draw interest as a free agent.

Move Forsett up the priority list on PPR league waiver wires this week. He’s averaging 6.8 yards per touch this season compared to just 4.3 for Julius Jones. Forsett is also a fine pass-blocker, so his role could increase at the expense of Jones.

Jones rushed 16 times for just 36 yards, but caught six passes for 78 yards and scored once. Coach Jim Mora raved about Jones Monday, saying he’s “seeing things much better (and) understanding where the cuts are going to be much better. I feel like he’s gaining more yards after contact than he was earlier in the year.” Justin Forsett and Louis Rankin are not threats right now.