Raiders’ Long Injures Neck, Is Doubtful for Saturday’s Game

Raider defensive end Howie Long has suffered a neck injury that will probably keep him out of the team’s exhibition opener Saturday against the 49ers in San Francisco.

“He jammed it Monday in the drill against the Cowboys,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s sore right now. It’s doubtful he’ll play this weekend. I’d say the chances are very, very slim.”

The Raiders are already thin at end. Bob Buczkowski has just returned to contact work after his back stiffened early in camp. Rookie Scott Davis, the No. 1C pick, was poked in the eye last Saturday, but he is expected to resume practicing today.

Raider Notes

Mike Shanahan hasn’t said which quarterback will start, but he has polled the press corps. The best guess is Steve Beuerlein, who has been running the No. 1 unit this week. . . . Don Mosebar, coming off off-season back surgery, is scheduled to put on pads today for the first time. Bill Lewis is centering in his absence. . . . Position re-switches: tailback Ethan Horton, who tried tight end, is back at running back; safety Stefon Adams, who was tried at running back, is back in the defensive backfield.