Given Lane Kiffin's depth perception issues with the Raiders roster, chances were good there would be no major surprises when the roster was reduced the league minimum of 53 players Saturday.

There weren't.

Although there could be and probably will be alterations to the roster as the opener approaches on Sept. 8 against the Denver Broncos at McAfee Coliseum, it's worth noting that all 53 players were not only with the club when camp started, but were involved in the offseason program as well.

Recent acquisitions need not apply.

Kiffin campaigned for new faces to bring about camp competition, which occurred primarily because of injuries, but none of the additions which came after camp opened made the team.

Linebacker Adam Archuleta, cornerback Nick Sanchez, fullback Luke Lawton, safeties Marviel Underwood and Nate Lyles and linebacker Shane Simmons were all waived, unable to break through on a roster which has been openly criticized by the head coach in terms of quality depth.

The Raiders scheduled Kiffin's conference call with Bay Area media before transactions were announced, so the head coach was unavailable for comment regarding the specifics of the roster.

Owner Al Davis and the personnel department will be checking the waiver wire closely for further upgrades, and the Raiders would appear still be in need of a fullback to go along with Justin Griffith.

The Raiders kept only four running backs —

Lawton led the Raiders with four receptions, and Reece had the only touchdown on a 25-yard checkdown pass from Marques Tuiasosopo. That leaves Griffith, the smallest starter at his position in the NFL at a generously listed 6-foot and 230 pounds, as the lone fullback.

Lawton was claimed off waivers after the Raiders lost Oren O'Neal for the season with a knee injury against Arizona. Reece was an undrafted free agent who was a college receiver at Washington and is learning to play fullback.

He is a candidate to be named to the eight-man practice squad, which can be formed from players who clear waivers and aren't claimed by another team.

While short on running backs, the Raiders went heavy with linebackers. Having started past seasons with as few as five, the current roster has seven. Both players who lost out to Ricky Brown as the starting strong side linebacker made the team in Robert Thomas and Sam Williams.

Thomas is currently unable to play with a knee injury and his situation, Kiffin said, is "day-to-day." Williams, a Clayton Valley High product in his sixth year, managed to stay healthy throughout camp but never mounted a challenge for the starting job.

The other reserve linebackers, Isaiah Ekejiuba and Jon Alston, play on all of Oakland's special teams.

Apart from McFadden, the No. 4 overall pick of the draft, all of Oakland's draft picks remain with the team as safety Tyvon Branch (fourth round), defensive end Trevor Scott (sixth round) and wide receiver Chaz Schilens (seventh round) are on the 53-man roster, with Arman Shields (fourth round) placed on injured reserve.

Shields was healthy enough to play against Seattle, with one conspicuous dropped pass, but he missed much of training camp with knee trouble. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery as a senior at Richmond last year but performed well in the NFL scouting combine.

Todd Watkins, a wide receiver out of BYU signed in the offseason after being released by the Atlanta Falcons, completed his story as an out-of-nowhere camp success by making the 53-man roster despite misplaying a potential touchdown reception against the Seahawks Friday night.

Notes: Kiffin said punter Shane Lechler was fine after being forced to roll out and throw a pass after retrieving a fumbled snap. Lechler did not punt because of a quad injury but is expected to face Denver in the opener. ... The Raiders will practice today, take Monday and Tuesday off and then begin serious preparations to face Denver. Kiffin said he and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan began preparing for the Broncos last week while the position coaches dealt with the exhibition finale in Seattle. The Raiders rested all 22 starters against the Seahawks.