Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is pleased to have his most reliable training camp weapon back on the field and thinks the return of Chaz Schilens on Sunday will give the New York Jets something to think about.

"He looks like he hasn't missed a beat," Russell said Thursday. "(We) just had to get him back to running certain routes, but other than that he looked good."

Schilens, out eight weeks with a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot, could give Russell a reliable outside threat to go along with tight end Zach Miller and help upgrade the NFL's worst passing offense.

The biggest problem has been Russell's inability to connect with his wide receivers, which include rookie starters Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Russell has completed just 24.3 percent of his passes (18 of 74) to wide receivers for 259 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions for a miniscule passer rating of 18.0. Throwing to running backs and tight ends, he is 50 of 75 (66.7 percent) for 571 yards, one TD and one interception, a rating of 88.2.

Schilens' return might help Russell establish a rhythm with his wideouts.

"It's a guy that they have to put down in their books, 'We've got to watch where he's at all times,' " Russell said. "He's a guy who can really make a game change in a matter of a few catches."

If Schilens knows how much he'll play Sunday, he's keeping it a secret.

"Right now it's really up to the coaches to see how they

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want to use me," Schilens said. "I haven't been in there for a while, so I'm sure they're going to pick and choose situations where they feel I can succeed."

Coach Tom Cable said he would determine the rotation of the wide receivers Saturday.

  • The Raiders failed to sell out 72 hours before kickoff, meaning the Jets game won't be televised locally. It's the third consecutive blackout after a sellout for the opener against San Diego. The Raiders had only two games blacked out in each of the past three seasons since taking over the sale of their own tickets.

  • Murphy was happy to hear Cable wasn't charged in the alleged assault on assistant coach Randy Hanson but said it never became an issue in the locker room. "I never heard about it in the locker room or from my teammates. I'm just glad to hear it's over and done with," Murphy said.

  • Right guard Cooper Carlisle (ankle) practiced without limitations and should be good to go Sunday. Defensive end Greg Ellis (knee) was limited and will be monitored throughout the season to make sure he can play on Sundays. Tight end Brandon Myers was sent home with a stomach ailment and missed practice for the second straight day. Among those who didn't practice and won't play are guard Robert Gallery (broken fibula), tackle Cornell Green (calf), linebacker Ricky Brown (ankle), running back Darren McFadden (knee) and wide receiver/kick returner Nick Miller (shin).