Linemen return

to practice
By Steve Behr
 
The Carolina Panthers got some good news Wednesday when center Ryan Kalil and tackle Jeff Otah practiced with the team.

Kalil, a second-year player, and Otah, the Panthers’ second first-round selection in the 2008 draft, have both been out of the lineup because of ankle injuries. The Panthers’ offensive line has been riddled with nagging injuries to the point that they have not had the starting five be on the field at the same time since the first game of the season.

“Any time you get starters back you're encouraged, so it was good to have both of them back,” Panthers coach John Fox said.

Cornerback Chris Gamble (ankle), linebacker Thomas Davis (ankle) and receiver Dwayne Jarrett (hip) also practiced Wednesday.

One of the players they block for missed practice Wednesday. Running back Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers’ other No. 1 draft pick in 2008, has a sore heel and did not participate in practice.

Stewart has gained 362 yards on 96 carries and scored five touchdowns this year. DeAngelo Williams leads the team in rushing with 522 yards on 120 carries and three scores.

Fox said it’s not that unusual to have a player miss practice at this time of the season, even though the Panthers are coming off a bye week.

“Not really. It was something that just probably got sore,” Fox said.

Carolina (6-2) travels to the West Coast to take on the Oakland Raiders (2-6) Sunday at McAfee Coliseum. The Raiders were humbled 24-0 by Atlanta last week after collecting just three first downs, all rushing, the entire game.

Oakland is led by quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the overall No. 1 pick of the 2007 draft. Russell sat out most of last year in a contract dispute, but has been the starter this year.

Fox said the Panthers were interested in Russell, but had little chance of getting him.

“He's a guy we liked coming out,” Fox said. “He played for an excellent program and had an excellent (college) career. He knows how to win.”

Russell struggled against the Falcons, hitting 6-of-19 passes for 31 yards. On Oakland’s best chance to score, Russell tossed an interception to stop the drive.

The Raiders are struggling offensively, averaging a league-low 13.4 points per game and 264.1 yards per game, which is 29th in the league.

“I think any time you come into this league as a young player, particularly at quarterback, there are some growing pains,” Fox said. “I know a lot was made of last week but I’ve seen him have good games. Every once in a while we all have clunkers. So he’s very capable both with his arm and his feet. He’s got a tremendous arm, and they have enough weapons to spread it around to.”

One of those weapons is former North Carolina quarterback Ronald Curry. Now playing receiver for the Raiders, Curry has eight receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Leading the Raiders in receiving is Zach Miller, who has 22 catches for 321 yards and a touchdown.

One of the Panthers defenders looking to stop the Raiders’ offense is defensive end Tyler Brayton, a Panthers’ free-agent signing from Oakland.