Quarterback Marcus Mariota active for first time as a Raider vs. Jets

Marcus Mariota will back up Derek Carr for Raiders, Carl Nassib sits in favor of Vic Beasley at defensive end.

Marcus Mariota, signed in the offseason to the biggest contract of any player slated to be a backup in the NFL, is active for the first time Sunday when the Raiders visit the New York Jets.

Mariota got off to a slow start healing injuries in training camp, then landed on injured reserve with pectoral injury. He came off I.R. on Oct. 20 and has been inactive behind Nathan Peterman for the last five games.

If anything were to happen to starting quarterback Derek Carr or if coach Jon Gruden wants to insert a run-pass-option or two into the game plan, Mariota could see his first action as a Raider. Mariota signed two-year contract worth a maximum of $17.6 million and receives $7.5 million in salary this season.

Inactive players included Peterman, running back Josh Jacobs, safety Johnathan Abram, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, guard John Simpson and defensive end Carl Nassib.

Nassib, signed to a three-year contract worth $25 million in the offseason, was on the injury report with a knee injury but a full participant in practice, an indication he is a healthy scratch in favor of practice squad defensive end Vic Beasley.

Johnson went on the injury report for the first time with a groin injury. The good news for the Raiders is Trayvon Mullen, who was ill and arrived in New Jersey on Saturday, is active and presumably available to play.

Jacobs did not make the trip to New Jersey with an ankle injury, with the Raiders looking to Devontae Booker, Jalen Richard and Theo Riddick in the backfield.

Booker is expected to start, but it could mean a bigger role for Richard, who was signed to a two-year contract extension worth $7 million to assure he would be available for instances like Sunday against the Jets

Richard, a runner/receiver who is also a solid pass blocker, could see his most extensive action after missing the last two games following a chest injury sustained on a kickoff return against Denver.

In nine games, Richard has just 14 carries for 83 and a touchdown, plus 12 receptions for 90 yards. Half of his carries came for 24 yards in a 46-20 loss to Tampa Bay.

The most memorable game for Richard was a Week 2 win over New Orleans, when he lost a fumble on a third-down toss play that looked headed for good yardage but later broke free for a 20-yard touchdown that put the game away.

Richard has also returned 10 kickoffs for 240 yards and could resume that role.