WITH CARR OUT, RAIDERS PLAN TO REV RUN GAME IN DENVER

alameda, calif.» When the Raiders played the Broncos for the first time this season, the Raiders relied heavily on their running game.

They posted their most carries, most yards and most touchdowns on the ground in the past three years.

The formula that delivered the 30-20 victory in November will probably be a similar formula that Oakland uses in the rematch in Denver on Sunday, especially with backup Matt McGloin taking the snaps from center in place of starting quarterback Derek Carr, who suffered a broken leg last weekend and probably won’t play again this season.

“I think everyone is taking a little bit more on their shoulders because they understand Derek went down,” Raiders running back DeAndre Washington said Thursday. “He was a vital leader to this team, an MVP to this team. Whenever someone like that goes down, everyone else has to step up.”

Bridgewater wins Courage Award.

The Vikings selected quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as the recipient of the team’s Ed Block Courage Award.

The award is given each season to one player on every NFL team to recognize his ability to overcome adversity and his commitment to sportsmanship and courage.

Bridgewater suffered a season-ending knee injury just before the season started and has been going through an exhaustive rehabilitation process.

Griffin good to go.

Robert Griffin III was cleared from concussion protocol and will start at QB on Sunday at Pittsburgh in Cleveland’s season finale.

Griffin was checked by an independent neurologist and practiced as the Browns (1-14) prepared to face a surging Steelers team that has locked up a playoff berth and will rest several starters, including QB Ben Roethlisberger, tailback Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Footnote.

Former NFL and Virginia Tech defensive back Keion Carpenter died in Miami at age 39. The cause of death wasn’t announced. Carpenter intercepted 14 passes during his NFL career with the Bills and Falcons. He blocked six kicks while playing at Virginia Tech, tying the school record. And he founded The Carpenter House, a nonprofit designed to benefit children from low-income families through mentoring. The Associated Press