Raiders DT Henderson Out With Stress Fracture
ALAMEDA (AP) -- Oakland defensive tackle John Henderson could be sidelined for more than a month with a stress fracture in his right foot, dealing a blow to the Raiders' struggling run defense.
Henderson has already missed two games with a sore foot that wasn't improving. Coach Tom Cable said Wednesday that Henderson had a stress fracture and could miss between two and five additional weeks.
"I think it's big," Cable said. "John was playing well and the last time really that he played was St. Louis, but we've had good play out of him so obviously that's a loss. But we'll overcome it."
The Raiders are thin at defensive tackle with Henderson out, with only Desmond Bryant available to back up starters Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour. Oakland released Jay Alford earlier in the week to make room for linebacker Bruce Davis, who was needed to bolster a banged-up linebacker crew.
Starting weakside linebacker Quentin Groves missed practice with a hamstring injury that could force him to miss this week's game against San Diego.
"He's very questionable right now," Cable said. "In another 24 hours, we'll see. Hamstrings are hamstrings. Sometimes a week, maybe two. Sometimes four weeks."
Backup Thomas Howard also missed practice with a knee injury, forcing starting defensive end Trevor Scott to move back to outside linebacker, where he played late last season and during the preseason. Matt Shaughnessy will start at defensive end in Howard's place.
Also, rookie middle linebacker Rolando McClain missed practice because of a death in his family. McClain is expected to rejoin the team Thursday.
The Raiders have had problems on the front-seven this season, allowing 249 yards rushing last week to Houston and the second-most rushing yards in the league this season. Oakland also recorded no sacks in last week's 31-24 loss.
Because of the injuries at linebacker, the Raiders signed Davis off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on Tuesday. Davis has spent time with Pittsburgh, New England and San Francisco, getting his only game action in 2008 with the Steelers.
"I think his training has been good," Cable said. "He's been able to come in and pick it up. Today was good. I liked what I saw. We'll go look at it on film and then go to work here tomorrow and Friday as well."
Davis has played almost exclusively in 3-4 systems so it is a little bit of an adjustment to fit into Oakland's 4-3 scheme. Cable said Davis can contribute right away on special teams and the coaches will see where he is in terms of the defense later in the week.
"I've learned so much defense in the going on three years I've been in the league," Davis said. "I've had five playbooks so I know how to break down a playbook and figure it out. I know how to study. The coaching staff here is great. To this point they've helped me out a lot. I think it will work out."
Davis has ties to the Raiders. His father, Bruce, was drafted by the Raiders in 1979 and played tackle for the team until 1987. He was on two Super Bowl champions and was excited when he heard the news from his son.
"My dad speaks about this place with a lot of pride," Davis said. "I know he's happy that I'm here and I'm happy to be part of the family now too."
NOTES: OL Robert Gallery, who has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, worked out on the side Wednesday and is close to getting back on the field for practice, Cable said. ... RB Darren McFadden did not practice with a hamstring injury. Cable said it was not as serious as the one that sidelined him for a couple of weeks in training camp. ... QB Bruce Gradkowski was limited at practice with a shoulder injury but said it was not a big deal.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
