Raiders CB Phillip Adams was placed on injured reserve on Friday. (US Presswire)

The Raiders placed starting right cornerback Phillip Adams on injured reserve Friday, five days after he suffered a groin injury at Carolina.

Adams, who was claimed off waivers from Seattle on Sept. 1, appeared in 15 games and started the last two. He had two interceptions, including one against Denver quarterback Peyton Manning.

Brandian Ross will replace Adams and make his first career start Sunday at San Diego.

"I've been preparing all week for it, so the opportunity has come and I'm ready to take advantage of it," Ross said.

The Raiders signed Ross off of Green Bay's practice squad on Sept. 19. He has been a valuable backup, filling in at both safety and corner. He's also played nickel corner and spent time at the "Joker" position, a hybrid safety/corner.

Add two: The Raiders promoted cornerback Cory Nelms and defensive end Brandon Bair from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. They replaced Adams and defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who went on injured reserve Thursday.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said that Nelms will likely be active Sunday and play on special teams, but Bair probably won't suit up.

"He competes the right way," Allen said of Nelms. "He's a tough, smart football player, and he's done some good things. His role will be special teams. We'll see how he does out there. Obviously depending on injury situations, that will dictate whether he plays on defense or not."

Nelms spent last season on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad after signing with them as an undrafted rookie out of Miami. He spent time in training camp this year with the 49ers then was signed to the Raiders' practice squad on Nov. 15.

Nelms went to Miami on a track scholarship and was a two-time All-ACC selection as a hurdler. He joined the football team as a walk-on and appeared in just 24 games with no starts.


"It's been a long road," Nelms said. "Working hard every day for that opportunity to go out there and help your team win, so I'm honored."

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Bair made Kansas City's 53-man roster last year after signing as an undrafted rookie out of Oregon but was inactive for all 16 games. The Chiefs cut him at the end of training camp this year, and the Raiders signed him to their practice squad on Sept. 12.

Injury report: Starting strong safety Tyvon Branch (ankle) returned to practice Friday but was limited and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game. For the third straight week, Branch will be a game-time decision. He has started the past two games but left Sunday's game at Carolina after only a handful of plays because of his ankle.

"I wouldn't say that it's any worse," Allen said of Branch's ankle. "It's probably a little bit better right now than it was at this time last week, so that's an improvement, because he played, I think, eight snaps in the game last week. We'll see where he's at again on game day."

If Branch can't play, then Mike Mitchell will start at strong safety.

Starting right guard Mike Brisiel (concussion/ankle) missed practice again Friday and is questionable. He has passed his concussion tests but is still bothered by the ankle injury, Allen said. Brisiel will be a game-time decision. If he can't play, then rookie Tony Bergstrom will make his first career start.

Extra points: Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa forced a fumble on punt coverage and made two special teams tackles last week at Carolina in his second game of the season. He also saw time on defense and made a strong impression on Allen. "I thought he did some good things," Allen said. "Some good things in coverage. I'm anxious to be able to see him get back out there and play a little bit more."

Follow Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.