| Raiders looking at options after placing right tackle Green on injured reserve |
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| Written by Admin |
| Wednesday, 21 November 2007 15:22 |
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ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -Right tackle Cornell Green was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with an ankle injury, yet another blow to the Raiders' struggling offense. Green, who was slowed by a knee injury earlier this season, was injured with 1:54 left in the second quarter of Oakland's 29-22 loss to Minnesota last Sunday. The veteran offensive lineman, who started all 10 games for the Raiders this season, was replaced by second-year offensive lineman Paul McQuistan and didn't return. With Green out for the remainder of the season, the Raiders are exploring the possibility of moving Robert Gallery to the right tackle spot. Gallery, the second overall draft pick in 2004, played both tackle positions during his first three NFL seasons but was moved to left guard in the offseason. ``We're going to look at a couple things,'' Oakland coach Lane Kiffin said. ``Paul could be out there. Robert could be out there. As far as the plan for Sunday, it could be either of those.'' Gallery and McQuistan -- who picked up two penalties against Minnesota in relief of Green -- split time at right tackle during practice Wednesday. If Gallery were to be moved, the Raiders would then use either McQuistan or Chris Morris at left guard. ``Cornell's down and they're going to have to make a change,'' Gallery said. ``I haven't done it in a year or so, but they're going to do what's best for this football team.'' The Raiders signed offensive lineman Seth Wand to take Green's spot on the roster. Wand, a third-round pick of Houston in 2003, started 16 games in 2004 but was released by the Texans two years later. He signed with Tennessee late in 2006 and played exclusively on special teams. Oakland's line has allowed 31 sacks this season, tied for sixth most in the NFL. The Raiders are also the fourth-most penalized team in the league with 76. Before getting hurt against Minnesota, Green was second in the league with eight false start penalties. The pain doesn't end there. Backup center Jake Grove has been inactive for the past three weeks with a knee injury and did not practice Wednesday. Starter Jeremy Newberry was also given the day off to rest his knees, leaving Morris -- a seventh-round pick in 2006 -- as the only healthy center. ``People get hurt in this league and changes have to be made,'' Gallery said. ``Somebody's got to be able to play.'' Notes:QB Josh McCown and rookie JaMarcus Russell both took reps with Oakland's starting offense but Kiffin would not say who the backup to starter Daunte Culpepper would be ... Fourth-round draft pick Michael Bush was put back on the physically unable to perform list after practicing with the Raiders for the last three weeks. The move means the rookie RB will not play for Oakland this season. |
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