"It's going to be big shoes to fill," Johnson said. "I've been waiting five years for this opportunity. I've just got to take this opportunity and run with it."

Johnson was a surprise selection over Stanford Routt, who was a starter last season and a second-round draft pick in 2005. Routt will continue to be the Raiders nickel back.

"Chris is a fast player. He's the fastest player on the defense, maybe on the team," cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "He's also a quick player. You love his heart and his toughness, and he does study, which you love about a corner. Stanford has done all those things, but Chris has shown himself ready to play."

Johnson has just one previous start, for the St. Louis Rams in 2005.

It has been a rapid rise for a player who as recently as Week 3 was on the inactive list against Buffalo even though he was healthy enough to play.

PLAYER NOTES

-- CB Stanford Routt said he is off both the nickel and dime defensive packages for subpar effort on special teams play.

-- DE Derrick Burgess missed practice with a triceps strain and is not expected to play against Carolina.

-- RB Darren McFadden was limited in practice Thursday and failed to make significant progress from Wednesday, indicating his role could be limited as well against the Panthers or possibly be inactive for the third straight game.

-- FS Michael Huff missed practice with a hip injury and his status is uncertain for Carolina.

-- LT Mario Henderson will alternate with starter Kwame Harris against Carolina, with the stronger player getting more time in the second half.

--LB Robert Thomas, who started at strong-side 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, signed Wednesday, will be added to the rotation at defensive tackle along with Tommy Kelly, Terdell Sands and Gerard Warren.

--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.