PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Wright Might Be on Way Out

Wide receiver Alexander Wright will play in his first exhibition of the year Saturday against the Rams, and the question is, Will it be his last as a Raider?

Wright, who has been sidelined for most of training camp because of a calf injury, is rumored to be odd man out among the Raiders’ wide receivers.

Teams in need of a speedy, solid veteran receiver have been keeping an eye out for Wright on the waiver wire, figuring he might be expendable because the Raiders already have Tim Brown, James Jett, Rocket Ismail and the improving duo of Daryl Hobbs and Charles Jordan.

“Yes, I’ve heard about the rumors having me going to Seattle, the Patriots and the Jets,” said Wright, who won the NFL’s “Fastest Man” competition in 1992 and 1993. “I just can’t let that affect me. I’m still with the Raiders and I will continue to go out there and run routes and do what I have to do.”

Last season, Wright, who was traded to the Raiders by Dallas during the 1992 season, emerged as a solid starter with 27 catches for 462 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 10 kickoff returns for 167 yards.

Wright suffered his calf injury during the first week of training camp and soon found himself on the outside.

“Being an injured player is always difficult because you’re watching from the sideline,” said Wright, who was sound enough to play at Pittsburgh last week but was held out by Coach Art Shell because of the artificial turf at Three Rivers Stadium. “You just try to maintain your composure and don’t mess up. You have to stay positive in this business and concentrate on what you’re trying to do.”

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Offensive tackle Bruce Wilkerson said he hopes to play against the Rams after playing only one series against the Steelers last week because of a foot injury. Defensive tackle Chester McGlockton and cornerbacks Lionel Washington and Torin Dorn are questionable because of various injuries.

“I want to make sure that they’re ready on opening day,’ Shell said. “It’s important that they get some work now, but more important for them to be ready to play then.”