When the Raiders go into the shotgun, Russell's passer rating is 96.7. When they use three wide receivers (which happens occasionally in the shotgun), his rating is 103.3 -- the fourth best in the NFL.

It's worth noting that non-starters Ashley Lelie and Johnnie Lee Higgins have been targeted 27 times as intended receivers, while starters Javon Walker and Ronald Curry have been the intended receiver 19 times.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--DE Derrick Burgess missed practice for the second straight day Thursday with a triceps strain and his status is undetermined.

--LB Isaiah Ekejiuba was limited Thursday with a shoulder injury but the special teams captain is expected to face the Saints.

--RB Darren McFadden was limited with turf toe Thursday but is expected to see time against New Orleans as the backup for Justin Fargas.

--S Gibril Wilson missed practice Thursday with the flu but is expected to face New Orleans.

--TE Ben Troupe was limited with a foot injury and practiced for just the second time, and likely hasn't picked up enough of the system to be active against New Orleans. He signed Sept. 19.

--CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who played on third downs in the pre-bye game against San Diego, practiced without limitations and is expected to resume his regular role against the Saints.

--G Cooper Carlisle, out with an ankle injury against San Diego, practiced without limitations and should start against New Orleans.

--RB Justin Fargas, who hasn't played since a Week 2 win over Kansas City, practiced without limitations and is expected to face the Saints.

GAME PLAN: After watching the Saints suffocate an excellent Minneosta running game in the Superdome, the Raiders aren't likely to go run-run-pass as often as they have through the first three games of the season, and will look to throw more often on first- and second-down with Greg Knapp calling the plays. They began to go in that direction against San Diego before the bye week. Should the passing game loosen things up, Cable said he is a firm believer in running the ball in the second half. Defensively, look for the Raiders to pay close attention to Reggie Bush out of the backfield, with Thomas Howard the best candidate to be the spy. They'll look to go mostly with natural pressure because QB Drew Brees is such a good decision-maker, he is extremely difficult to blitz. On special teams, the Raiders challenged Devin Hester last year with success, shutting him down at the Coliseum against the Bears. Kicking on the road in the Superdome, Shane Lechler is likely to shoot for corners and sidelines to keep Bush penned in on punt returns.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Raiders WR Javon Walker vs. Saints CB Jason David. Walker has been a target of pointed criticism from coach Lane Kiffin with regard to his conditioning, issues outside of football practice production since training camp. The Raiders have completed just 19 passes to wide receivers in four games, and Walker has two receptions of the opening drives in each of the last two games and nothing else. New coach Tom Cable is promising balance, and chances are they'll look to get Walker going in New Orleans. The Saints are without rookie Tracy Porter, who established himself as a quality player as a second-round draft pick but was lost for the year with a wrist injury. That means David will come into the game as a target, with the Raiders looking to isolate Walker and begin to get something for an off-season investment which included an $11 million signing bonus and a $1 million salary.

Saints RB Reggie Bush vs. Raiders WLB Thomas Howard: Bush is the NFL's dumpoff king, leading the league with 38 receptions for 321 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Bush has got the hands, as well as the skill set, to get well downfield, but most often is in the swing range looking to catch and run. There are very few linebackers who can stay with him, but the Raiders happen to have one of them. Howard is one of the swiftest players at his position and led all linebackers with six interceptions last season. He has played his last six games without one, but will no doubt be laying in wait, hoping to take one of those Drew Brees dumpoffs the other way.

INJURY IMPACT:

--A re-injury to DE Derrick Burgess at left end could hurt the Raiders' pass rush and force them to do more blitzing then they'd like. With Kalimba Edwards (three sacks in three games) performing well as a nickel rusher from the opposite side, the Raiders are getting better natural pressure on the quarterback. Blitzing often against Saints QB Drew Brees could cause problems because he is one of the league's best decision-makers and can burn a blitz, particularly with Reggie Bush out of the backfield.