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May 30, 2007

Williams remains sidelined

Mike Williams' injury that took him out of his first minicamp practice May 4 still has him sidelined.

Sure, Williams knows Kiffin's system (he was great in it at USC), but this isn't the way he wanted to start over in Oakland.

Williams said a couple of weeks ago he hoped to be back on the field soon. But instead of wearing a helmet on the field, he's wearing a beanie as an observer.

"It was not something that just happened real quick," Kiffin said. "It was very serious. And actually the first thing we heard (on how long Williams would be out) was even longer than what we hear now. So we think he's getting pretty close."

If Williams is back by the Raiders' third minicamp June 11-13, it would give the offense a chance to see where he fits and if he can shake the rep he gained in Detroit. It's a voluntary camp, but when you're Williams, there's no such thing.

Et cetera

• Running back ReShard Lee had arthroscopic knee surgery and should be back in six to eight weeks, Kiffin said.

• Rookie receiver Johnathan Holland also had knee surgery. Free-agent tight end Tony Stewart still is bothered by a heel injury that hasn't required surgery.

• Running back Adimchinobe Echemandu was running hard after leaving the field two weeks ago on a cart with a sprained ankle.

• Darnell Bing continues to look good at strong safety. He was moved to linebacker last year, then put on injured reserve.

• LaMont Jordan made a nice diving catch toward the end of practice on a long pass from McCown. Jordan caught 70 passes in 2005, mainly of the shorter variety.

• Veterans Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess still are training out of the area. Kiffin said he's in touch with both, but doesn't know if they'll attend the voluntary minicamp next month. Either way, too big of a deal will be made of their appearance or absence.

- Jason Jones

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 7:31 PM | Comments |