Raiders : Wilkerson’s Knee Injury Proves to Be Minor

Right guard, the Bermuda Triangle of the Raider offensive line, almost claimed another victim, rookie Bruce Wilkerson, who limped out late in Saturday’s night’s yawner against the Buffalo Bills.

Unlike everyone else who has lined up at the position, or thought about it, Wilkerson suffered an injury that proved to be a minor one--a knee strain--and isn’t expected to miss any games. Wilkerson, the No. 2 draft choice from Tennessee, wasn’t originally tabbed for prime time this season, but Coach Tom Flores said he played “pretty well” Saturday night in the Raiders’ 7-3 exhibition loss at the Coliseum.

Veteran Mickey Marvin played right guard last season. He came into this camp considered a longshot and then hurt a knee, necessitating arthroscopic surgery.

The front-runners were second-year utilityman Bill Lewis and Curt Marsh, the talented veteran with the luck you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Marsh was discovered to have a broken ankle, which he may have had for some time, and has undergone surgery to have a screw placed in the joint. Lewis hurt a knee playing center in the exhibition opener.

Dean Miraldi was impressive early in the training camp but pulled a muscle in his abdomen and hasn’t played yet in an exhibition. Rookie John Gesek dared to try the position in the exhibition opener, confounded the odds by escaping injury, but had a hard time with the San Francisco 49ers, prompting the promotion of Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, a college tackle at 6 feet 5 inches and 280 pounds, held out for a week and got a late start but seems to be making up for it. When the Raiders weren’t holding Saturday night (they were called for seven holds, of which Wilkerson had two), they actually blocked well. Quarterback Rusty Hilger was sacked once in his half. Marcus Allen averaged 7.5 yards in 8 rushes. The team as a whole averaged 6.1.

Lewis and Miraldi are to return to practice this week but will work lightly, almost guaranteeing Wilkerson the start next Sunday at Dallas. Flores says he can aim higher than that.

“If he keeps improving, he’s got a shot (at starting the season),” Flores said.

Wilkerson has 10,000 incentives. In addition to his $135,000 salary, he would earn a $10,000 bonus for making the opening-day lineup.

And now, son of quarterback controversy: Flores wasn’t what you’d call overjoyed to hear it, but there is speculation about Ed Luther’s prospects after Saturday night. Of course, there is continuing speculation about Marc Wilson’s future with the Raiders, not to mention that of Jim Plunkett, and both may be affected by what Luther does.

Luther was 5 for 14 in the opener against the 49ers, but that was easily forgiven. His father had died in midweek, forcing him to leave practice, and his offensive line was overrun. Against the Bills, however, with better protection, Luther went 5 for 21 with 2 interceptions, including one he threw on first-and-goal from the five.

Wilson may see his first action of the exhibition (Luther has even replaced him as the holder for placements) at Dallas.

“I’ve got to be honest, Ed didn’t have a good game,” Flores said. “There were a couple of things he missed that would have helped. I don’t know what to attribute it to. He’s done well in practices. He’s done well in scrimmages. Any way you look at it, 5 for 21 isn’t very good.”

Raider Notes

Return man Chris Woods, who was cartwheeled on the opening kickoff, has a bruised left knee. He’ll undergo precautionary tests today. . . . Coach Tom Flores suggests that he isn’t crazy about the new 40-second clock, designed to speed up games. This is one of the kindest things any coach has said about the system, which forces coaches to hurry decisions. Flores says that occasionally more than 10 seconds will have elapsed before the ball is marked and he can decide on the next play. The system is on a three-week trial, and the 28 teams will then vote on it. Many coaches, including the New York Giants’ Bill Parcells, have said they’ll vote no.