PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Bruised Knee May Slow Patterson

Defensive back Elvis Patterson limped off the field with a bruised right knee, but Dr. Norm Rotenberg said Patterson probably will be able to play in Sunday’s season opener at Houston.

The Raiders, who have nine defensive backs on their roster, can ill afford to lose a defensive back against the Oilers, who have one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL.

Injury report: Houston center-guard Erik Norgard (left shoulder) and defensive tackle Jeff Alm (left knee sprain) are out. Center-guard Doug Dawson (right knee) is questionable. Defensive tackle Ray Childress (leg), defensive end Ezra Johnson (shoulder) and defensive tackle Glenn Montgomery (leg) are questionable.

Raider guard Max Montoya (groin), who has practiced for the last two days, will probably play.

Oiler quarterback Warren Moon, who missed the final two games last season after dislocating the thumb on his right hand, said the injury has healed.

“I don’t have any after-effects (when) throwing the football,” Moon said. “But there are a few things I can’t do in everyday life with my thumb, like trying to twist the top off a bottle where you have to bend your thumb. You don’t need as much strength to grip the ball.”