Raiders coach Norv Turner said that Porter, who had career-highs of 64
catches, 998 yards and nine touchdowns last year, is still rehabilitating his
hamstring injury and the team won't know whether he'll be able to play until
early next week.
''He did his rehab (Friday) and he ran some routes during our individual
period,'' Turner said. ''He moved around pretty good. I'll be anxious to see how
he feels tomorrow, and then hopefully he can do more on Sunday.''
Porter was injured on Aug. 1 when he suffered a slight tear in the hamstring
of his right leg. Turner originally estimated Porter would be sidelined two
weeks, but the sixth-year veteran did not play in any of the team's four
preseason games.
Porter returned to practice during the last two days of training camp and had
hoped to play in Thursday's game against the Saints before telling team trainers
his leg was still bothering him.
On Tuesday, Turner said he considered the situation a setback for Porter and
admitted he was concerned. Three days later, the Raiders coach sounded more
optimistic but was still taking a cautious approach, saying Porter still hadn't
been able to run routes in practice.
''He did it early (in the rehab) and then wasn't able to handle it early last
week,'' Turner said. ''So this was a step up.''
Turner also said the Raiders remain undecided about who their starting right
guard against the Patriots will be. Veteran Brad Badger had the inside track on
the job when training camp began but eventually began splitting time in practice
with three-time Pro Bowl guard Ron Stone.
Stone was a huge disappointment during his first season in Oakland last year
and was eventually cut in the offseason before re-signing with the Raiders.
Since then, Stone has impressed the coaching staff enough that they are mulling
putting him ahead of Badger on the depth chart.
''I think the way we've practice those guys, we've gotten them both ready,''
Turner said. ''They are both veteran guys that realistically we know we are
going to need them both. The way we've prepared them has been good. Both can
swing and play other positions, also.''
The Raiders won't practice on Saturday but the coaching staff will be busy
trimming the roster. Teams must be down to the 53-player limit by 1 p.m. PDT.