Raiders Put Branch on Active Roster

The Raiders activated wide receiver Cliff Branch Friday.

Branch will presumably become a backup. The Raiders have started Dokie Williams and rookie Jessie Hester this season, although Hester has had trouble catching passes. When Jim Smith was hurt before a week ago, they were left with only three wide receivers, among them another rookie, Tim Moffett, who hasn’t caught a pass.

Branch, 37, was bothered by hamstring pulls last season and in training camp. He wasn’t able to play in the exhibition season and was put on injured reserve, raising the possibility that his career might be over.

He is the NFL’s 13th-leading receiver and No. 1 in postseason games. On the day he was put on injured reserve, Al Davis held an impromptu press conference to praise him for having “struck fear in opponents’ hearts.”

To make room for Branch, the Raiders released Mike Moroski, the quarterback they signed earlier this week. Marc Wilson is recovering from his injuries, and the Raiders hope Jim Plunkett can resume practice in three weeks.