Raiders Already Hobbling Around In Training Camp
Just when it appeared the Oakland Raiders plugged holes on their front lines, key injuries have created new ones.
The Raiders learned Tuesday they will be without defensive end Aundray Bruce for up to four weeks because of a sprained right ankle, while offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy will be sidelined two weeks by a torn left bicep.
Both injuries occurred during a scrimmage Monday night.
To complicate matters, offensive tackle Willie Williams, who signed as a free agent last week, announced his retirement Tuesday.
“That leaves us a little short at tackle,” coach Mike White said.
For Bruce, the injury will keep him out of practice for the first time in his nine-year NFL career. He hopes to return for an Aug. 2 exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Kennedy, a former No. 1 pick acquired in a trade with Atlanta, also hopes to return to action sooner than initial predictions.
In addition to Bruce, Kennedy and Williams, linebackers Greg Biekert, who is nursing a stiff back, and Keith Franklin, with a lower back problem, will be unavailable for the game at Dallas on Saturday. Running back Calvin Jones (ankle) and tackle Jeff Kysar (foot) are questionable. Receiver James Jett (hamstring) and defensive end Austin Robbins (hip) are probable.
Slaughter now a Jet
New York signed former Pro Bowl receiver Webster Slaughter to a one-year contract believed to be worth slightly more than the NFL minimum of $275,000.
“The Jets made a lot of decisions this offseason to get people here to try to win some games,’ Slaughter said. “I’m one of those people. Hopefully, we can all come together in camp and turn this thing around.”
Slaughter, 31, had 34 receptions for 514 yards and four touchdowns last season for Kansas City. He has 523 receptions for 7,584 yards in 10 seasons with Cleveland, Houston and Kansas City.
Brett’s back
Quarterback Brett Favre returned to practice after missing a day to attend a friend’s funeral and visit an injured older brother.
Favre’s brother Scott, 29, was injured and their friend died when the van Scott was driving was hit by a train in Pass Christian, Miss. Mark Haverty, 26, was killed when the train struck his vehicle about 1:45 a.m. Saturday.
Green Bay’s Gary Brown said his possible suspension for violating the NFL’s drug and alcohol policy involves alcohol, and he admits he has a drinking problem.
Brown, 25, said he was arrested for drunken driving in April in Oshkosh, Wis.
Kramer and Thierry tested
Quarterback Erik Kramer and defensive end John Thierry traveled to Madison, Wis., on Tuesday for MRI exams.
Kramer’s strained hamstring could keep him out of full practice until next week. Thierry has a calf injury but could return sooner, coach Dave Wannstedt said.