Eugene now may slide outside to cover receivers in nickel and dime alignments while the Raiders attempt to find more snaps for safety Rashad Baker, who has played sparingly in the secondary.

Baker's play could be even more accelerated if Wilson either can't play or is limited in terms of snaps because of a groin injury.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB Robert Thomas, who started at strongside linebacker against Atlanta, was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring strain.

--SS Tyvon Branch, a fourth-round draft pick, backup strong safety and a gunner on the punt coverage team, was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury sustained while returning a kickoff.

--CB Michael Waddell, a cornerback with the club during the offseason and through training camp, was signed to the 53-man roster.

--DT William Joseph, cut during training camp, was signed to the Raiders 53-man roster as the inside rotation of Gerard Warren, Terdell Sands and Tommy Kelly has struggled of late.

--LB Marquis Cooper, a linebacker who was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2004 and has spent time with the Bucs, Vikings, Seahawks and Jaguars before being released most recently by Pittsburgh.

--LB Jon Alston returned to the practice field after missing the last two games but was limited and is no lock to face Carolina.

--SS Gibril Wilson missed practice with a groin injury and his status was uncertain for the Giants.

--LB Ricky Brown missed practice with a groin injury and if he doesn't play, the strong side will be played by Sam Williams.

GAME PLAN: Cable conceded the Raiders may have been "robbing Peter to pay Paul" of late with regard to developing JaMarcus Russell as a passer, and in so doing getting away from their identity as a running team. If their own defense can keep Carolina under control, expect the Raiders to get Justin Fargas (156 yards, 56 carries) back on track, and also look to get Michael Bush more involved. Anything from McFadden would be a bonus. Defensively, the Raiders will look to keep defensive fronts simple, reduce the complexity and attempt to match up strength for strength against the Panthers. Blitzes against a veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme will be rare.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Raiders CB Stanford Routt vs. Panthers WRs Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith. Routt reclaims the starting position he held last season after the Raiders' decision to waive DeAngelo Hall after eight games. Hall was in coverage on a 27-yard TD pass to Michael Jenkins last week and will discover the same thing Hall did -- that teams are going to the extreme to avoid right cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and that he is in for a busy day. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme has completed 37 passes to Muhammad and 33 to Smith, who both will likely get their shots at Routt. They present different challenges -- the bigger, physical Muhammad, who will use his body like a power forward in the paint, and the fast, elusive Smith, more of a point guard.

Panthers DE Julius Peppers vs. Raiders LT Kwame Harris. Fresh off giving up two sacks to Atlanta speed rusher John Abraham, including one in which Abraham essentially steamrolled Harris, the beleaguered left tackle takes on one of the most talented pass rushers in Peppers. Peppers has four sacks for the Panthers, and Harris, considering what the Raiders did with Hall and the fact that his contract takes a big jump next year, could be on the verge of losing his job as the Raiders do anything they can to shake up a bad situation.

INJURY IMPACT: McFadden's turf toe continues to hobble the offense in terms of danger on the perimeter. Fargas and Bush are both plant-and-cut inside backs, and the wide receivers simply haven't given the Raiders much outside. Until McFadden can do enough to keep teams honest, teams can continue to funnel the Raiders inside and give no respect to their outside game.