PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Bell or Mueller Might Be Activated

The Raiders moved running backs Nick Bell and Vance Mueller onto the practice squad Wednesday in anticipation of activating one of them for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Coliseum.

The club doesn’t have to make a final decision until later in the week. This way, they can keep the 49ers guessing as to which back they’ll see.

Bell and Mueller have been on injured reserve the last four weeks.

“I anticipate one guy moving up,” Coach Art Shell said, “but we’ll have to see how it goes this week.”

The Raiders had sold 82,500 tickets for Sunday’s game through business hours Tuesday. They weren’t offering ticket updates Wednesday, but it’s unlikely the game will be a sellout before today’s 1 p.m. deadline for lifting the local television blackout. Capacity at the Coliseum is 92,488.

There is a crazy rumor circulating about the Raiders playing rookie quarterback Todd Marinovich against the 49ers. San Francisco Coach George Seifert mentioned the possibility during a Wednesday conerence-call hookup with Los Angeles reporters.

“Our sources have said we might even see Marinovich at quarterback,” he said. “Obviously, pro football is full of rumors, and we have to account for all of them.”

The Raiders said Seifert doesn’t have to worry about this one.

“No,” Shell said, “there won’t be any quarterback change.”

The Raiders moved tackle Reggie McElroy into Max Montoya’s right guard position. Montoya is expected to miss at least two games because of a strained groin.