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Gary Russell | Running Back

Team: Oakland Raiders
Age / DOB:  (26) / 9/8/1986
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 215
College: Minnesota
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Gary Russell is expected to take over as the Raiders' starting fullback.
Russell was always big and slow for a tailback, so the move makes sense. Coach Tom Cable praised his "explosiveness" as both a blocker and a receiver after Sunday's performance against the Eagles. Tue, Oct 20, 2009 06:53:00 PM
Source: Oakland Tribune

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Player News

Date:
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Filling in at fullback for the first time Sunday, Gary Russell caught five passes for 55 yards.

The backup fullback/running back won't have fantasy value, but it's worth noting that JaMarcus Russell showed tremendous improvement on flat passes and screens this week.
Source: Oakland Tribune
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 10:31:00 AM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Raiders re-signed RB Gary Russell.

Russell, 23, can play fullback, tailback, and special teams. He'll step in as the club's third-string runner until Darren McFadden (knee) gets back.
Source: Jerry McDonald on Twitter
Wed, Oct 7, 2009 02:08:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Free agent RB Gary Russell will visit with the Bills later today.

He's nothing special. Russell visited with the Rams earlier this month and left without a contract. Xavier Omon is Fred Jackson's primary backup until Marshawn Lynch's suspension is over.
Related: Bills
Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter
Thu, Sep 17, 2009 01:24:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Free agent RB Gary Russell is scheduled to visit with the Rams.

Russell has short-yardage ability, picks up the blitz well, and can lead block in a pinch, but does little in the passing game and can't turn the corner. He'd give St. Louis another lackluster alternative behind Steven Jackson.
Related: Rams
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter
Tue, Sep 8, 2009 12:35:00 AM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Raiders released RB Gary Russell.

Russell, who led the Raiders in rushing during the preseason, lost out to second-year back Louis Rankin. Russell is a borderline NFL player that specializes in short-yardage.
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 09:56:00 AM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Raiders signed RB Gary Russell.

Russell will be behind Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush and is a long shot to make the final roster. He could handle short-yardage duties if needed in the event of an injury to one of the other backs.
Source: Contra Costa Times
Fri, May 8, 2009 02:04:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Bengals waived RB Gary Russell.

He lasted just over a week. Russell, who scored the first touchdown of the Steelers' Super Bowl win, became expendable when Cincy drafted arrest machine Bernard Scott. Russell could resurface as a short-yardage option.
Mon, Apr 27, 2009 02:55:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said Monday that Gary Russell was released to create salary cap room for the re-signing of Charlie Batch.

The salary cap problems aren't going away. Casey Hampton and Hines Ward are among the key veterans entering the final year of their contracts. "There could be further deletions as we move forward," Colbert said, "depending on how our cap situation evolves."
Related: Steelers
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Tue, Apr 21, 2009 11:24:00 AM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Bengals claimed RB Gary Russell off waivers from the Steelers.

Russell had "Bengal" written all over him. Not only is he floating down the Ohio River pipeline from Pittsburgh, he has a history of character concerns going back to his days at Minnesota. Russell offers a similar skill-set to starter Cedric Benson, but he's got a chance to win the backup job at this point.
Related: Steelers
Fri, Apr 17, 2009 04:45:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Steelers waived RB Gary Russell.

Russell is a borderline NFL player, but this move is surprising so early in the offseason. He's only 22 and spent all of 2008 on the active roster, carrying some in short-yardage situations and returning kicks. We suspect Russell did something to tick off the coaching staff in the offseason program.
Thu, Apr 16, 2009 03:05:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Gary Russell rushed for a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 13 win over New England.

The Steelers have always thought highly of Russell's short-yardage ability, but don't take this to mean he's passed Willie Parker as goal-line back. His score came in garbage time and FWP saw goal-line carries when the game was still close. Parker remains Pittsburgh's best bet for rushing TDs.
Sun, Nov 30, 2008 08:57:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Gary Russell rushed six times for 25 yards and caught one pass for -2 yards in Week 5.

Russell played the role of the short yardage back and had a carry inside the Jaguars 5-yard line. For now he is ahead of Najeh Davenport, who had only one carry, on the depth chart, but Russell should return to a deep reserve role after the bye week unless Willie Parker's injury lingers.
Related: Najeh Davenport
Mon, Oct 6, 2008 01:34:00 AM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Steelers RB Gary Russell, slated to be the top backup to Mewelde Moore, could receive significant work Sunday.

Said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, "I wouldn't mind giving it to him 20 times a game. I've been waiting a couple years to see what he can really do." Keep in mind that doesn't guarantee Russell 20 carries this week, but he should be the goal-line back. Najeh Davenport will play only in an emergency.
Related: Najeh Davenport
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Fri, Oct 3, 2008 12:28:00 PM
Gary Russell - RB - Raiders

Steelers promoted RB Gary Russell from their practice squad.

Russell will be active against the Jags in Week 5 and could be a part of the game plan as an inside runner. The Steelers will likely use a mix with Mewelde Moore, Carey Davis, and even Najeh Davenport, so Russell is a very risky fantasy play.
Related: Carey Davis, Gary Russell, Najeh Davenport
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wed, Oct 1, 2008 10:23:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Matt Flynn
2Terrelle Pryor
3Tyler Wilson
4Kyle Padron
5Matt McGloin
RB1Darren McFadden
2Rashad Jennings
3Latavius Murray
4Jeremy Stewart
5Deonte Williams
GLB1Darren McFadden
2Rashad Jennings
3RB1Darren McFadden
2Rashad Jennings
FB1Marcel Reece
2Jamize Olawale
3Jon Hoese
WR11Denarius Moore
2Juron Criner
3Brice Butler
4Isaiah Williams
5Andre Holmes
WR21Rod Streater
2Jacoby Ford
3Josh Cribbs
4Conner Vernon
5Sam McGuffie
WR31Jacoby Ford
TE1Nick Kasa
2Mychal Rivera
3David Ausberry
4Richard Gordon
5Jeron Mastrud
K1Sebastian Janikowski
2Eddie Carmona