Derek Carr injury: 5 Raiders who must step up

3. Latavius Murray

Murray is Oakland’s leading rusher this season, with 777 yards and 12 touchdowns on 190 carries through Saturday’s game. But a backfield committee that has included Washington and Richard has brought just four games with 19 or more carries thus far, and with Carr out the Raiders’ offense stands to become run-heavy with Murray as the likely early-down workhorse.

Murray has also proven to be a productive pass catcher, with 30 receptions this season and 41 catches in 2015. So even if he’s ceding most of the obvious passing down work to his backfield mates, Murray could find himself heavily involved in the Raiders’ passing game when he is on the field. Backup QB, Matt McGloin doesn’t have as strong of an arm as Carr, so Murray could be a key safety valve for the new starter should he find himself under pressure.

Murray has been outperformed by the combination of Washington and Richard more often than not this season. But he is clearly the one back of the three with the build to take around 20 carries in a game without breaking down, and Murray is the favorite for goal-line work as well. If he can do his part to keep the Raiders on-schedule and out of long yardage situations consistently, Murray will have stepped up very well with Carr out.