Rock

Cartwright

On paper, it would appear Clinton Portis, Chad Morton, and Ladell Betts are guaranteed spots. That leaves Cartwright and Sultan McCullough for the final running back slot.

The deal is reportedly for one year. Cartwright, a special teamer, won’t be a candidate for tailback snaps behind Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.

The Raiders, unsurprisingly, love Figurs’ speed. What is surprising is that they’re picking an injury-prone journeyman over an even faster player in Jacoby Ford. The rookie may still be behind after missing time in August with a quad injury.

Cartwright, 30, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in 16 games last season, starting two late in the year before losing his spot on the depth chart to the similarly pedestrian Quinton Ganther. Cartwright also lacks homerun speed in the kick return department. Ideally, he won’t see the field much in Oakland.

Owner Al Davis has been writing checks all day long. As noted by Rotoworld’s Evan Silva, the Raiders have signed off on $80.6 million worth of contracts over the past nine days. Cartwright will return as a special teams ace and fourth-string running back.

Only one of the two is expected to make the final roster, and the race is neck and neck heading into Oakland’s preseason opener. Barring injury to Michael Bush or Darren McFadden, the winner will not have a fantasy impact.

It will be his second exhibition game missed. Meanwhile, Michael Bush has taken all of the first-team reps, and gets another chance to build confidence after averaging 4.4 yards per carry in the opener. Due to McFadden’s inability to stay healthy, beat writer Vittorio Tafur has speculated that Oakland may be forced to keep both Rock Cartwright and Michael Bennett on the final 53.

A career special teamer save for two short stints in Washington, Cartwright appeared in 31 games for the Raiders the past two seasons. He’s carried the ball only 13 times since 2009. He’ll help make up for the loss of Blake Costanzo on the Niners’ special teams unit.

He’s well behind Ladell Betts on the Redskins depth chart.

Ladell Betts and Chad Morton will back up Clinton Portis. Other Redskins inactives included WR backup WR Darerien McCants.