PRO FOOTBALL: DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Montoya Expected Back at Practice

The long-awaited return of Max Montoya is at hand.

The Raiders have definitely missed their veteran right guard, who suffered a partially torn ligament in his right knee six weeks ago.

Montoya, 36, was injured during the second game of the season. But the 14-year veteran chose rehabilitation rather than surgery.

And all his work has paid off. With a bye this week, the Raiders don’t return to action until Nov. 8, when they will be in Philadelphia to play the Eagles.

Coach Art Shell expects Montoya to resume practicing this week and to play against Philadelphia.

The Raiders, their running game bogged down, can certainly use Montoya.

When he left, Steve Wright was beside him at right tackle. But since then, Wright has suffered a shoulder injury, was benched because of his play, tore a calf muscle and is on the injured reserve list.

The starters Sunday were Todd Peat at right guard and Reggie McElroy next to him at tackle.

Another veteran who sat out Sunday was defensive lineman Bob Golic.

Golic, primarily effective against the run, has seen his playing time steadily decrease as the Raiders have gone more and more to pass rushers Anthony Smith and Nolan Harrison.

Also spending a large amount of time on the bench during the second half Sunday was defensive lineman Greg Townsend, who has a dislocated finger on one hand and an injured wrist on the other arm.

That has meant more playing time for lineman Willie Broughton.