A 28-18 loss to the San Diego Chargers at the Coliseum had had the similar feel of a 24-23 loss to the Bills in Buffalo the previous week, and in both games the Raiders were at less than 100 percent physically.

That should change by the time the Raiders go to New Orleans for the first time since 2000.

"The bye comes at a good time for us," coach Lane Kiffin said. "We're really beaten up and it will really help us to get some of these guys back that either did not play at all or were limited in their roles during the game."

Expected to return for the Raiders are running back Justin Fargas, who missed the last two-and-a-half games with a groin injury, and starting right guard Cooper Carlisle, who missed the San Diego game with a severe ankle sprain.

Back to full strength, hopefully, will be running back Darren McFadden (turf toe) and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (fractured elbow).

McFadden gained 20 yards on seven carries against San Diego and hasn't been himself since sustaining a turf toe injury against Kansas City. In that game, McFadden had 164 yards on 21 carries. He has carried 21 times since the injury and gained 62 yards.

Asomugha played sparingly against the Chargers in some third down situations. Because of the injuries to Fargas and Stanford Routt, who also missed the San Diego game with an ankle injury, McFadden and Asomugha were forced into action when normally they wouldn't be.

"Darren wasn't right before the game, and neither was Nnamdi," Kiffin said. "Both of those guys would not have played if we had other options on our roster but we didn't have anybody to suit up."

Two other players who suited up and had good showings despite injury were defensive tackle Gerard Warren (torn pectoral muscle) and defensive end Derrick Burgess (torn triceps).

Warren played despite missing practice all week and being listed as doubtful.