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myNFLnews · #1 (**permalink**) October 22nd, 2009

Behold, the most heralded 15-catch receiver in Raiders history is back from foot surgery. May the rescuing begin.

"Hopefully, I can make a difference," said Chaz Schilens, who had his first full practice Wednesday, two months after he broke his left foot in training camp.

"If they're going to put me out there, it's my job to go out there and make plays."

Somebody has to. The Raiders' passing offense ranks last in the NFL. One receiver, rookie Louis Murphy, has 12 catches for 174 yards and one touchdown. The other four have combined for seven for 90 yards and no scores.

It's no wonder the organization trumpeted Schilens' return with a news release Tuesday, which merely repeated what Raiders coach Tom Cable said a day earlier: that Schilens would play Sunday against the visiting Jets.

Schilens is viewed as that big a deal to the Raiders' passing offense, even if he had but 15 catches for 226 yards and one touchdown as a part-time rookie starter last season.

"If they're putting me out there, they have confidence in me and I'm not going to go out there and not do my job," Schilens said.

Cable was the one person most reserved in his jumping for joy. Yes, Schilens emerged as JaMarcus Russell's most dependable target in the offseason. And yes, Schilens came on strong as a starter in the second half of his rookie season.

But the Raiders' offense has more than one hole to plug. Left guard Robert Gallery (leg) and right tackle Cornell Green (calf) are still out at least another week. Same goes for starting running back Darren McFadden (knee).

"I think (his injury) was huge, but Chaz is really just one piece," Cable said. "It'll be nice for us in these coming weeks. We're going to get very healthy and that's a key point for us offensively."

Where does Schilens fit in? Cable won't decide until Saturday.

If Schilens' foot holds up well in his first full week of practice, he could return to the starting lineup immediately. If not, he will get nonstarting reps behind starters Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Schilens has practiced at both receiver positions, giving the Raiders flexibility to use different tandems and three-receiver sets. By trade, he plays the same position as Murphy.

"All I know is what we had working was something very special," Schilens said of his chemistry with Russell. "If we can get that back as soon as possible, I feel like I can help the team win."

Playoff prediction: Defensive end Richard Seymour went out on a limb and said his 2-4 team is headed to the postseason.

"You can mark it down," Seymour said in a radio interview. "The Raiders will be in the playoffs."

Cable loves that kind of talk. He just wants the rest of the team to make good on Seymour's word.

"Its good to stick your neck out a little bit, but know with that comes the responsibility of backing it up," Cable said.

Briefly: Raiders defensive end Greg Ellis was fined $5,000 for helmet-to-helmet contact with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb on Sunday. Ellis was not penalized on the play. ... Right guard Cooper Carlisle is limited by a sore ankle. Paul McQuistan would replace him if necessary. ... Fullback Luke Lawton is back from an ankle injury, but he's lost his job to Gary Russell, who had five catches for 55 yards against the Eagles.

This article appeared on page B - 4 of the San Francisco Chronicle