PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Montoya Sidelined After Knee Injury

Raider right guard Max Montoya, a 14-year veteran and a key fixture in the offensive line, will be sidelined for four to six weeks because of a partially torn ligament in his right knee.

Montoya was injured during Sunday’s 24-21 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I don’t need that,” Raider Coach Art Shell said of Montoya’s injury. “That’s tough. That’s tough.”

Montoya’s place on the roster will be taken by defensive lineman Greg Townsend, who has been activated after sitting out two weeks under exemption status following his holdout.

Montoya’s place in the starting lineup will be taken by Todd Peat, a four-year veteran signed as a free agent in 1990.

Taking Montoya’s place in terms of skill and leadership will be a more difficult task.

He was injured on an extra-point attempt Sunday.

“He was sitting in there blocking,” Shell said, “and a bunch of guys fell on his doggone leg. It was a freakish thing.”

*

Fullback Derrick Gainer (strained calf muscle), linebacker Winston Moss (slight groin strain) and defensive lineman Nolan Harrison (knee) all had to leave the game at one point or another, but none has been ruled out of the home opener next Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.