Running back Adimchinobe (AKA “Joe”) Echemandu sparkled over the summer in the Raiders’ training camp and four exhibition games.
But he never got to play much in the regular season on a team featuring LaMont Jordan, Justin Fargas and Dominic Rhodes. As a result, the Raiders waived Echemandu on Oct. 5.
But now he’s back as a member of the Houston Texans, who play Oakland at 1:15 p.m. Sunday at McAfee Coliseum.
Echemandu made his offensive debut for the Texans last Sunday, gaining 62 yards in 10 carries and earning praise from Coach Gary Kubiak and his teammates.
Echemandu’s debut, however, almost ended after one carry. He pulled a hamstring muscle on his first touch, left the game for treatment but was able to return.
Echemandu wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip away. After all, he hadn’t run the ball in the regular season since 2004.
“Anytime you get an opportunity to make some plays, you have to take advantage of them,” he said. “That’s how guys stay around in this league.”
Texans General Manager Rick Smith liked what he saw from Echemandu, who was signed from the practice squad the week before the game.
“He can help us,” Smith said. “He’s got good vision. He’s got some size and speed. He’s got the power to run inside and the quickness to run outside.”
Echemandu called his day’s work a nice start but nothing more.
“You have to be consistent week in and week out,” Echemandu said. “There are guys that have been doing that like Ron Dayne and Ahman Green.”
Dayne and Green are listed ahead of Echemandu on the depth chart. However, health concerns have limited their play and created a spot for Echemandu.
His performance didn’t surprise Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin.
“It just became a number situation, and we were trying to get Adimchinobe back here on our practice squad,” Kiffin said of his decision to waive him. “We decided because we had so many backs that it would be a better situation there for him.”
• The Raiders have forced only one fumble in seven games.
The Texans are tied for the league lead with nine fumble recoveries whereas the Raiders are the NFL’s lone team without one.
• Defensive tackle Gerard Warren (quadriceps) missed practice again and won’t play Sunday. Warren has missed the past three games.
• Outside linebacker Sam Williams (shoulder) was limited in practice and also won’t play.
• Wide receiver/kick returner Tim Dwight will be active for Sunday’s game, Kiffin said.
