PRO FOOTBALL REPORT / WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAIDERS : New Position a Snap for Montoya

Guard Max Montoya is learning another position, long snapper, and the Raiders plan to use him in that capacity if Dan Turk, their No. 1 snapper on punts and field goals, is injured. “I did it back in 1986 at Cincinnati,” Montoya said. “I’m just doing it for emergency situations. Hopefully, I’m the backup to the backup’s backup.”

The Raiders are also using quarterback Jay Schroeder as a backup holder on field goals. Punter Jeff Gossett normally holds for field goals. Schroeder is also the backup punter.

Tight end Mike Dyal, who suffered a pulled hamstring in the Raiders’ 17-13 victory at Seattle last month, hopes to return for next week’s game at Kansas City.

But the Raiders don’t appear to be as confident as Dyal, having signed Ken Whisenhunt, who was cut by the Washington Redskins last month. “I was surprised when the Raiders called, but I was very happy,” Whisenhunt said.

A 12th-round draft pick from Georgia Tech in 1985, Whisenhunt spent four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before signing with the Redskins as a Plan B free agent last year.

Whisenhunt apparently impressed the Raiders with his performance in the Falcons’ 12-6 victory over the Raiders in 1988.

Tackle Rory Graves sat out practice Thursday with a strained left foot. He plans to return to practice next week.