Walker to open on PUP
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at 11:27 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Wide receiver Javon Walker will open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he rehabs from offseason knee surgery.
When asked Wednesday if Javon Walker would be on the field for the first practice, coach Tom Cable said, “We’ll decide that later today or tomorrow.”
Walker disclosed he had offseason knee surgery during the mandatory minicamp but wasn’t specific about the procedure. He said he was probably playing at about `65 percent” in terms of health and was in constant pain.
Coach Tom Cable said at the time the Raiders were unaware of the surgery but conceded, “We knew there was an issue, it’s almost like he was never getting over it . . . the key issue there is he’s really excited about it, feels good about it, so if we can get back the Javon he would used to be that’s really exciting for our offense.”
That apparently will wait at least a few days. Walker may be a ways away from rounding into form, because the Raiders don’t have a full padded practice scheduled until Monday, with the first four days consisting of “learning intensive” practices heavy on instruction and tempo.
Also on PUP is left guard Robert Gallery, who will miss two to three weeks after an emergency appendectomy. Players on PUP count toward the 80-man roster. Once a player begins camp on the active roster, he cannot be switched to PUP.
As of late Wednesday, it appeared fullback Oren O’Neal would begin the season practicing with the team. He said upon arrival it was his understanding he would practice once a day.
Players on the PUP list are prohibited from practicing with the team but can rehab and attend meetings. They can be activated at any time.
The Raiders cut just two players Wednesday, wide receiver Arman Shields and quarterback Danny Southwick.
They’ll need to trim another player if they reel in top draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, and one candidate is quarterback Andrew Walter. Cable said he thought Walter’s status would resolve itself in “24 to 48 hours.”
Walter was with the club and attended meetings Wednesday after missing all voluntary offseason sessions.
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