A Day After Being Cut, Wilson and Haynes Return to Raiders

In today’s installment of Raider Cutdown Hijinks, we find the team re-acquiring Otis Wilson and getting set to bring a cornerback back, too.

Anyone for a Mike Haynes resurrection?

You’ve got it.

“I’ll be there tomorrow,” Haynes said from his home Tuesday night.

Haynes, the 36-year-old nine-time all-pro, was cut without ceremony Monday. His life as a civilian was brief but eventful. A few hours after he cleared waivers Tuesday, Al Davis called and invited him back.

He’s returning lighter, however. Haynes acknowledged having agreed to play for less, although he wouldn’t say how much less. A source says he’s going from $825,000 to something in the $450-$500,000 range.

And then there was the Otis saga . . .

Wilson, the outside linebacker who was cut Monday, whose knee Coach Mike Shanahan had said “isn’t there,” must have had one fantastic night of rehabilitation, because on Tuesday, when the Raiders trotted out for a walkthrough, there was Otis . . . lining with the No. 1 defense, as if he’d never been away.

Had Wilson’s $1.15-million, two-year contract been re-done, too?

“That’s private business, man,” Wilson said.

After the practice, Shanahan confirmed that Wilson is back.

“People have asked me,” Shanahan said, “is his knee 100%? No, it’s not 100%. No, he’s not in shape to play a full game.

“He’s improved each week. At the same time, we feel like he’s got to make some strides and he feels like he’s got to make some strides.”

Tuesday Wilson strode on his wounded knee from civilian life back into the Raider starting lineup. That wasn’t a bad beginning.

Why did the Raiders shake everyone up and go to all this trouble?

Besides saving some money, it enabled them to keep two injured players, safety Russell Carter and receiver Sam Graddy, who are expected to go on injured reserve. They will be eligible to return in six weeks. Had they gone on before the final cut, they would have been out for the season.

The Raiders had little choice but to turn to Haynes or another axed cornerback, Mike Richardson. After their cut Monday, they were down to two healthy corners who had seen any recent playing time at the position, starters Lionel Washington and Terry McDaniel.

The other listed backups were Stefon Adams, a safety and special teamer who hasn’t played a down at cornerback in two seasons, and Dennis Price, who missed all of camp and the exhibition games with a knee injury.

The Raiders had Price out to test the knee in special drills after Tuesday’s practice. It is not impossible that he, too, is headed for injured reserve.

Raider Notes

The Raiders also re-signed Joe Costello, whom they waived in the first cut. Costello, a Plan B ex-Atlanta Falcon, is versatile and can back up inside and outside. . . . The Raiders reportedly are interested in strong safety Mike Harden, released by the Denver Broncos. Until Russell Carter’s return from a dislocated shoulder, they’re going with inexperienced Zeph Lee. . . . Fullback Doug Lloyd will be one of six rookie and second-year players on the Raiders’ development team. Quarterback Jeff Francis and tight end Charles Henry also are expected to join.