Raiders Put Backup Qbs Through Paces Seahawks At Raiders

Backup Oakland Raiders quarterbacks Donald Hollas and Wade Wilson took snaps in practice Wednesday as Jeff George continued rehabilitating the groin injury he aggravated Sunday in Baltimore.

Coach Jon Gruden said George will probably be in uniform and available to play if needed Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

But “I don’t think it’s a very good chance (George will play). Most likely Donald Hollas will be the starting quarterback, but we’ll see where Jeff is (today),” Gruden said.

After missing 3-1/2 games because of two groin tears suffered Oct. 4 against Arizona, George returned to the starting lineup against Baltimore. He played in the opening series but aggravated the injury on two passes and left the game.

Gruden maintains George did not tear a groin muscle but only aggravated the previous injury.

“The first time, he pulled it off the bone. Since that time, he’s recovered to the point that we felt he was good enough to go. But he’s had a relapse,” Gruden said.

On the mend

Halfback Napoleon Kaufman’s left ankle is still sore after he twisted it against Baltimore, but he practiced Wednesday and expects to be at full speed for the Seahawks.

The former University of Washington star suffered the injury in the fourth quarter when he was pushed out of bounds by Ravens rookie cornerback Duane Starks after an 18-yard gain.

After sitting out a play, Kaufman returned to find he had a new best friend in Baltimore nose guard Tony Siragusa.

“Every time I came in, it seemed like Siragusa kept jumping on me,” Kaufman said. “I’d come and say, ‘OK, I feel good.’ Then all of the sudden he’d grab me and go, ‘Grrrr, I bet you felt that one.”’

Defensive tackle Russell Maryland, who injured a shoulder Sunday, did not practice Wednesday.