Christensen Is Placed On Injured List

The Raiders put Todd Christensen, who reinjured a knee in San Diego Monday night, on injured reserve Wednesday.

Meanwhile Howie Long, maneuvering on crutches, remains on the active list with a muscle pull in his right calf.

The Raiders are probably hoping against hope that Long can beat the 4 weeks he would have to stay out if he went on injured reserve. Long, however, has already missed 4 games, and just re-aggravated the injury. “It’s worse than the first time I pulled it,” he said.

Can he return in a week or two?

“Not unless my fairy godmother comes down and slaps me on the head. “I have no idea when I’ll be back. I’m just taking it week to week. I know that gets old but it’s getting old for me, too.”

The injury has been down-played since it happened in the fifth game. It was first suggested that it was a strain. Whatever it is, it could conceivably end his season.

The Raiders have only five other defensive linemen, and one of those, Malcolm Taylor missed the San Diego game with a sprained ankle, forcing a return to the 3-4 alignment. Taylor is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in San Francisco but is still limping noticeably.

Meanwhile, center Bill Lewis, who sat out last week, says he’ll play.