Rookie Back Bush Still Not Close to Playing

Raiders rookie back Michael Bush may very well be faced with a wasted rookie season, as his broken leg from a season ago at Louisville does not appear to be ready for him to play this season.  Bush had broken his leg in two places last year, and underwent two surgeries.  The Raiders took him in the fourth round, and many, including Bush felt that he would be ready to go for training camp.  Instead, he know sits back and waits for the leg to finish healing.  For the Raiders, they will have have to deicde to put him on the IR, or on the Physically Unable to Perform list.  “Yes, there’s a very good chance of that,” coach Lane Kiffin said after practice Sunday. “We’ll make that final decision next week after this game.”

For most practices Bush works out on his own off to the side.  He has not been able to play as of yet, and so far it’s been nothing but individual drills.  “I’m just going out there, busting my tail, showing them what I can do,” Bush said. “Just a waiting game, that’s all. I have no idea what’s going on.”  If Bush starts the season on the PUP list, the Raiders cannot activate him until between Weeks 7 and 11, after which they must put him on the 53-man roster, place him on injured reserve or release him.