| LB Miles Burris is making a name for himself with his consistent outstanding play for the Raiders. He recorded his first NFL sack against the Jaguars. (US Presswire) |
Rookie linebacker Miles Burris played every defensive snap Sunday for the second straight week, and he had the aches and pains to prove it Monday.
"I was even a little more beat up this time around," Burris said. "Even more reps this game, and it's been a lot of fun, though. It's been a good kind of pain, especially when you win."
Burris had seven tackles and his first NFL sack in the Raiders' 26-23 overtime win against Jacksonville. He dropped Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne for a 10-yard loss on a full-speed blitz late in the third quarter.
"Felt great. It was a great experience," Burris said. "I had some family there. I'm glad they could see that, too. It was just one of those things. It kind of opened up. I shot it. It was a great call, and I'm glad it happened. It was a beautiful thing."
Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Burris "continues to get better" every game.
"He's the type of guy that we're looking for here," Allen said. "He loves the game of football, plays extremely hard, eliminates the repeat mistakes, and I'm pleased with the way that Miles Burris is playing."
Burris became an every-down player two weeks ago against Atlanta, taking over middle linebacker Rolando McClain's role in the nickel defense. McClain still starts in the base defense, and Allen said he has had back-to-back solid games in that reduced role.
"It gave Rolando a chance to get a little bit more rest and be more fresh when he does get an opportunity to play, and again this week he had another productive game in the base package," Allen said. "I think that, moving forward, he will be productive for us as a defense."
Injury updates: Starting cornerback Shawntae Spencer (sprained right foot) and right tackle Khalif Barnes (groin) have missed four straight games and appear headed for their fifth straight game on the sidelines. Allen said "Barnes and Spencer are probably doubtful" to return to practice this week.
Allen said he expects reserve tight end Richard Gordon (hamstring) to return to practice "at some point this week." Gordon has missed the last three games.
Allen said six Raiders suffered minor injuries Sunday but should be able to play at Kansas City: DT Desmond Bryant (elbow), WR Rod Streater (knee), DE Dave Tollefson (shoulder), RB Mike Goodson (hip), LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder) and Burris (elbow).
No decision on Curry: Allen said he's "still in the evaluation process" concerning OLB Aaron Curry, who came off the PUP list last week and returned to practice. The Raiders have two more weeks to decide whether to activate Curry, release him or place him on injured reserve.
"At whatever point it is that we feel like he's ready to go and can withstand the rigors of the National Football League game, then we'll have him active and ready to roll," Allen said. "We'll see how he works this week and what he looks like in practice. We'll go from there."
Quinn gets the nod: Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel announced Monday that quarterback Brady Quinn will start his second straight game Sunday against the Raiders, ahead of Matt Cassel. Quinn played last season for Denver, where Allen served as defensive coordinator.
"I don't see them changing a whole lot as far as philosophically, what they're going to do on offense, the plays that they're going to call and how they're going to execute it," Allen said. "I think we have to go and look at the tape and look at what they've done up to this point. Their last game Brady Quinn was their quarterback, so we'll have a feel for what they think they can do with him."
Quotable: "The second half, we came out throwing the punches more. We kind of felt like we were kind of feeling our way at first. Then once we got going, it was more like we were taking the initiative and going out there and trying to throw the punches." -- RB Darren McFadden
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.