Raiders injury report: Carrie upgraded, Ellis ruled out

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UPDATE (12:46pm, 10/10/15): Raiders DB TJ Carrie has been upgraded from "out" to "questionable" on the team's injury report.  

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ALAMEDA -– TJ Carrie skipped a full week’s practice with a chest injury, so it wasn’t hard to figure he would be ruled out for Sunday’s game against Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos.

It became official Friday afternoon on the team’s injury report.

That’s a big blow to an already thin secondary. Carrie moved to safety as compensation for the loss of Nate Allen in the season opener, and now they’re without half of their starting unit.

Head coach Jack Del Rio said Larry Asante would start at safety for Carrie. He’ll play with veteran Charles Woodson, probable with a shoulder injury. Those two will have to stay healthy, considering backup safety Taylor Mays’ status is uncertain. He is questionable with an ankle injury.

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DJ Hayden and David Amerson should start a cornerback, with Nieko Thorpe entering as the slot corner.

The Raiders secondary has taken a beating this season, but the reserves have rolled with the punches as much as possible.

“When you’re stressed at different groups, you fight the best you can,” Del Rio said. “In Denver last year (when Del Rio was Broncos defensive coordinator), it was the linebackers who got hit. Those things can happen, and you do what you can and try to maximize the strengths of the guys who are available.”

The Raiders won’t have a few keys pieces available at other spots. Defensive tackle Justin Ellis re-tweaked his left ankle during Wednesday’s practice and is back on the shelf after playing Sunday’s loss to Chicago.

C.J. Wilson is probable after missing that time, and Ellis’ absence means that Stacy McGee has a bigger role against Denver.

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The Raiders will also play the Broncos without defensive lineman Denico Autry (concussion) and running back/kickoff returner Taiwan Jones (foot).

Having Jones and Carrie both out is a problem in the return game. They are expected to look to practice-squad receiver DeAndre Carter for help in that area.

While the Raiders secondary has been hit hard by injury, something similar has happened to Denver’s offensive line. Left tackle Ty Sambrailo is out with a shoulder injury, and left guard Evan Mathis is questionable with a hamstring issue.

That bodes well for a Raiders pass rush that must play well for the Raiders to stand a chance. That’s especially true of Aldon Smith, who typically competes against and opponent’s left tackle.

Raiders injury report
Out: RB Taiwan Jones (foot), DT Denico Autry (concussion) DB TJ Carrie (chest), DT Justin Ellis (foot)
Questionable: S Taylor Mays (ankle)
Probable: DE Justin Tuck (knee), LB Ben Heeney (hamstring), S Charles Woodson (shoulder), DE/LB Benson Mayowa (knee), CB Keith McGill (foot), DT C.J. Wilson (calf) , RB Latavius Murray (shoulder), WR Michael Crabtree

Broncos injury report
Out: WR Cody Latimer, LT Ty Sambrailo (shoulder)
Questionable:OG Evan Mathis (hamstring), WR Bennie Fowler (hamstring)
Probable: TE Owne Daniels (not injury related), WR Demaryius Thomas (neck), OT Ryan Harris (knee), TE James Casey (knee), CB Omar Bolden (foot), OLB DeMarcus Ware (not injury related), OG Louis Vasquez (knee), QR Peyton Manning (not injury related)

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