Tully

Banta-Cain

Banta-Cain was said to be questionable for the start of the regular season after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a torn muscle in his abdomen. The Raiders will see if he’s close to game shape.

The former seventh-rounder might start if Mike Vrabel moves inside.

In a preseason start Saturday, he recorded three tackles, a sack, and two QB pressures. He will probably be the team’s Week 1 starter, but isn’t worth a look in IDP leagues.

The Raiders put Banta-Cain through a physical last week and his surgically repaired abdomen muscle passed. Once up to game speed, the ex-Patriot could give the Jets’ pass rush a boost off the edge -- he has 14.5 sacks over his last 31 games. They wouldn’t have to guarantee Banta-Cain’s contract for the season if he’s signed this week.

“It was a minor surgery,” said TBC. “I’m finally back doing everything with the team, all the workouts.” Banta-Cain returns as a likely starter after leading the Patriots in sacks last year and signing a pricey offseason extension.

“He is what he was (in New England),” said GM Scot McCloughan. “He’s not a premier, front-line, every-snap guy. He’s a situational pass rusher.” It wasn’t hard to see this coming last offseason. Banta-Cain would best be suited as a third OLB who comes in on nickel downs.

Banta-Cain notched only 3.5 sacks despite playing on the sack friendly weak side and was somewhat of a free agent bust. This may have been behind his ineffectiveness. There is speculation that he could be cut this offseason.

Green was the best pure pass rusher on the open market at this stage in the season, but is considered one-dimensional. He’ll steal some situational action from Parys Haralson and possibly free agent bust Tully Banta-Cain.

Pierre Woods will play on early downs as a run-stopper, with either Tully Banta-Cain or last year’s third-rounder Shawn Crable entering in passing situations. The team remains in the market for a veteran pass rusher such as Oakland’s Derrick Burgess.