PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAIDERS : Long Will Play Despite Thumb

Raider Coach Art Shell said defensive end Howie Long’s broken right thumb should not pose a problem.

Safety Eddie Anderson was kicked in the thigh during Sunday’s game but is expected to be OK. Linebacker Tom Benson strained a muscle in his arm but should also be ready come Sunday.

If the Raiders win in Buffalo Sunday, they probably will fly home that night and fly to Tampa for the Super Bowl Monday.

James Lofton, released by the Raiders in 1989, has found new life in Buffalo at age 34. In a 44-34 victory over Miami Sunday, Lofton had seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown.

“I don’t want to get into why we let James Lofton go,” Shell said. “We said at the time James was a very capable receiver and had some time left in this league.”