NAPA, Calif. (AP) -The Oakland Raiders trickled into training camp on Wednesday with many questions that will begin to be answered once practices start.
The Raiders had no formal activities scheduled for Wednesday as they checked into their wine country home for the next few weeks. Coach Lane Kiffin isn’t scheduled to address the media until before the team’s first practice on Thursday.
That’s when the answers to some of the key questions will begin to come, most notably the status of receiver Javon Walker.
Walker is recovering from serious injuries incurred during a robbery in Las Vegas last month. He was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying. Walker was released from a hospital after treatment for a concussion and facial injuries.
Kiffin said last month he expected Walker to be ready for training camp, but whether that happens is uncertain. The Raiders are counting heavily on Walker after signing him to a six-year, $55 million deal after the Denver Broncos released him in February.
Star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is not expected to report in time to practice Thursday. Asomugha has not practiced all offseason after being designated the team’s exclusive franchise player in February. Asomugha is guaranteed $9.765 million for this season, but has not signed yet.
He has told the team he won’t miss any games, but it’s uncertain how much more practice he will miss.
“I think he’s done everything he needs to to be in shape and ready to play,” fellow cornerback DeAngelo Hall said. “I don’t think it’s a matter of that. Obviously, being new to the scheme like myself, I’m going to need to be here just to learn plays, plays he already knows. I don’t think it’s going to hurt him too much. Obviously, we would love to see him here. We would love to build chemistry with him, but we understand the business side of things, too.”
The Raiders also must decide what to do with running back LaMont Jordan, who was told to stay off the practice field at minicamp last month. The Raiders are hoping to trade Jordan, who is scheduled to make $4.7 million this year and $5 million next season. But they haven’t gotten any offers and might end up releasing Jordan.
There were some new faces since the Raiders were last together in June back at their regular facility in Alameda, most notably safety Greg Wesley. The former Chiefs player signed with Oakland on Tuesday.
“I wanted to stay in the AFC West, so I could face Kansas City,” Wesley said. “But I think this is a good fit for me. I like the aggressive style of defense they play here. I’m an aggressive type player. I just felt like this is a good fit.”
Wesley was released last week by the Chiefs. He was a starter for his first seven seasons before being relegated to a backup role last season. Wesley has 29 career interceptions, along with six sacks, 12 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Wesley will compete with fourth-round pick Tyvon Branch, special teams star Jarrod Cooper and Hiram Eugene for a backup spot with the Raiders.
Oakland also signed fourth-round pick Arman Shields, a receiver from Richmond, and sixth-round pick Trevor Scott, a defensive end from Buffalo. That means all of the Raiders’ draft picks are in camp on time this year.
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