Raider Camp : Williams’ Knee Injury Found to Be Only a Strain

For the Raiders, Saturday’s exhibition loss to the Miami Dolphins at least got no worse on Sunday. Wide receiver Dokie Williams’ wounded right knee improved and is now being diagnosed as a strain.

Williams took a shot from a defensive back while in the air Saturday, and spent the night in a hospital. With Cliff Branch already on injured reserve and Jessie Hester dropping two passes Saturday including one in the end zone, the last thing the Raiders needed was bad news about Williams.

Said Coach Tom Flores: “It’s much better today (Sunday). There’s no swelling. He’s walking around without discomfort.”

Williams will miss Friday’s exhibition game in Cleveland, Flores said, but he hopes to have him back for the Sept. 8 opener.

Raider Notes Impressions from Tom Flores’ informal press conference: As impressive as Rusty Hilger and Jamie Kimmel were Saturday, their next challenge is to make the squad. . . . Hilger will be OK if the Raiders go with three quarterbacks. Flores says he’s leaning in that direction . . . Flores also says it’s too soon for Hilger to be challenging Marc Wilson for the No. 2 job . . . Kimmel will make it if they keep four inside linebackers, which isn’t as probable. If not, look for him to stub his toe and wind up on injured reserve. . . . The next cut, from 60 players to 50, must be done by Tuesday. Look for rookies Stefon Adams and Mark Pattison to go on injured reserve.