PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : From Big Break to Painful Injury

It’s hard to say which was worse for Greg Skrepenak, the physical pain or the emotional hurt.

A week ago, the second-year offensive lineman had finally gotten a chance for significant playing time, moving from right guard to left tackle to fill in for injured Gerald Perry.

But before Saturday night’s exhibition against the Dallas Cowboys was a quarter old, Skrepenak found his playing time yanked away for perhaps half the season.

Backing up to hold off a charging Charles Haley, Skrepenak got his feet caught between quarterback Jeff Hostetler and the artificial turf of Texas Stadium.

“He (Haley) just came with his bull rush,” Skrepenak said, “and I tried to reset.”

The result was a dislocated joint in Skrepenak’s left ankle that will keep him sidelined eight to 10 weeks.

“It was severe pain,” Skrepenak said. “What I could have used was a bullet to bite on. I never felt that kind of pain.”

The physical pain would fade, but the mental anguish of losing a chance to prove himself willlinger.

“It’s disheartening,” said the 6-foot-6, 300-pounder from Michigan. “I can’t get down, but it’s sad. I was really excited about the team and this year and the chance to do great things.”

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Two other Raiders also came out of Saturday’s game injured. Guard Max Montoya has a sore ankle and defensive back Rickey Dixon has a scratched left eye.

Running back Gaston Green continued to struggle, gaining only seven yards on three carries.