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Raiders’ Murray takes blame for losing ball, game
The Sports Xchange
ALAMEDA, Calif. — A week after rushing for a career best 139 yards in a 27-20 win over Cleveland, Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray took responsibility for a pair of costly turnovers in the loss to the Bears.
Murray mishandled a Derek Carr pass that bounced into the hands of linebacker Pernell McPhee for an interception, then later lost a fumble.
“I think it starts with the turnovers,” Murray said. “I was at the root of two of those, and it’s hard to win like that, that’s where it starts.”
After the second turnover, Murray took a seat on the bench as Roy Helu Jr. got his most extended playing time.
“We’ve got an active 46-man roster, we try to take advantage and utilize those guys,” head coach Jack Del Rio said.
–Outside linebacker Aldon Smith appears to be shaking off the rust. He was a force against the Chicago running game, particularly in the second half, had six solo tackles and also his first sack as a Raider.
Smith declined to speak with reporters, but defensive end Justin Tuck, who helped sell Smith on the idea of coming to Oakland after being released by the 49ers, likes the way he is rounding into shape.
“A lot of people see what he’s done over the course of his career and think he’s just going to bounce back in there,” Tuck said. “He ain’t had a training camp yet. It’s kind of like he’s had training camp these first four games and he’s starting to get back to the Aldon of old, which is exciting.”
Smith has an arraignment Tuesday stemming from DUI, hit-and-run and vandalism charges and could be subject to discipline from the NFL at any time.
–Michael Crabtree had five catches for 80 yards and now has 26 catches a quarter of the way through the season. He rolled over on his right ankle in the first half and temporarily left the game but returned for a big second half.
Crabtree, who had Achilles’ surgery on his right foot two years ago, said, “I was scared, but I did everything I could to come back. It ain’t nothing. I finished the game.”
Carr, who quickly formed a bond with Crabtree following the latter’s signing as a free agent, said, “It says a lot about the kind of guy he is, especially where we’re at in the game.”
–Safety TJ Carrie departed after a 22-yard punt return. It was announced he had a chest injury and his status is unknown for this week.
Notes: Running back Taiwan Jones was inactive with a foot injury and the Raiders used Marcel Reece on kickoff returns. … Cornerback David Amerson played 75 snaps two weeks after being claimed off waivers. He contributed a forced fumble, a pass defensed and seven tackles. … Safety Charles Woodson had his second interception in two weeks and 62nd of his career, tying him with Dick LeBeau and Dave Brown for ninth on the all-time list. … Quarterback Derek Carr has 28 touchdown passes in 20 games, the most by a Raiders quarterback in his first two seasons, breaking the record of 27 set by Tom Flores. … Defensive end Justin Tuck had his first sack of the season making it 66.5 for his career. … Kicker Sebastian Janikowski played in his 240th game as a Raider, tying Tim Brown for the most in franchise history.
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