Raiders’ role players are on a roll

In recent years past, if the Raiders lost a key offensive lineman or defensive back, they were toast.

But now look at them.

They used five right tackles in the first four weeks and went 3-1. Then they lost starting tight end Lee Smith and on Sunday night, they played the Super Bowl-champion Broncos without cornerback Sean Smith.

And yet, they’re 7-2 and in first place in the AFC West.

Role players such as Mychal Rivers, Andre Holmes, TJ Carrie and DJ Hayden should all take a bow. And that’s a short version of the list.

“That’s what you need to go into the postseason,” said Carrie, a cornerback. “You need depth because unexpected things are going to happen and if you don’t have the depth to still…