PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Gainer Is Trimmed From the Roster

Raider fullback Derrick Gainer, who had to leave Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a strained calf muscle, moved from the injured list to the waiver list.

Gainer was cut to make room for linebacker Tom Benson, who was re-signed after being cut earlier.

Gainer was listed as being out of Sunday’s game because of his injury. But a Raider official said Gainer was not considered injured when waived.

Defensive lineman Greg Townsend, who will see action Sunday after a holdout that lasted through the exhibition season and two additional weeks of conditioning, will move from the left side to right defensive end, probably replacing Aundray Bruce.

Townsend, a nine-year veteran who reported about 25 pounds overweight, has lost 12 of those pounds.

It has taken Tim Brown three years to get his starting job back.

He has been the team’s third receiver since returning from a year-ending knee injury at the start of the 1989 season.

He started last Sunday when a minor ankle injury sidelined Mervyn Fernandez.

But Brown’s speed, versatility, ability to get open and his role as quarterback Todd Marinovich’s favorite target made him too valuable to return to the bench.

Brown is the Raiders’ leading receiver with eight catches in two games for 149 yards and a touchdown.

Fernandez has two catches for 36 yards.