Raiders place Fargas on IR

Dec 27, 2007 - 12:57 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Raiders on Wednesday placed running back Justin Fargas and quarterback Daunte Culpepper on injured reserve.

Fargas suffered a right medial collateral ligament sprain in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts on December 16 and has not played since.

Despite not earning the full-time starting job until Week Nine, Fargas has rushed for 1,009 yards and four touchdowns on 222 carries this season.

Fargas had back-to-back games of 139 and 146 yards in leading the Raiders (4-11) to consecutive victories over Kansas City and Denver.

Meanwhile, Culpepper suffered a strained quadriceps on November 28 and has not played since a Week 12 victory over Kansas City.

Culpepper's injury forced the Raiders to start Josh McCown against Denver on December 2.

JaMarcus Russell, the first overall pick of this year's draft, will get his first career start against San Diego (10-5) on Sunday.

The 11th overall pick of the 1999 draft, Culpepper was brought in during the preseason primarily because of Russell's extended holdout. A nine-year veteran, Culpepper threw for 1,331 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games this season.

The 6-4, 265-pound Culpepper has thrown for 22,422 yards with 142 touchdowns and 94 interceptions in 92 career games with the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland. Culpepper, 30, has also ran for 2,536 yards and 33 scores on 484 carries.