PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Injured Standouts Return to Lineup

At this point, most NFL teams’ weekly injury reports get longer with each game.

Not so with the Raiders.

After 13 games, the Raiders have more players returning from injuries than being sidelined.

Cornerback Lionel Washington, having one of his best seasons before suffering a lower leg injury against the Rams Nov. 13, might play some Sunday against Denver at the Coliseum. Washington would join Albert Lewis, who returned Monday at San Diego, in the team’s nickel coverage.

“We’re coming along pretty good now,” Coach Art Shell said. “We’re getting healthier. It was good to see Albert get through a whole game without an injury.”

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Including last season’s wild-card playoff victory, the Raiders, who lead the series, 48-19-2, have defeated the Broncos five games in a row and 10 of their last 11 meetings.

What is the Raiders’ secret?

“We match up well against them in all aspects of the game,” Shell said. “It’s basically just our players against theirs. Offensive linemen against defensive linemen. Wide receivers against defensive backs. Running backs against linebackers.”

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When Rocket Ismail joined the Raiders last season, wide receiver coach Fred Biletnikoff gave him an easy assignment for his first practice.

“All he told me was to line up on the right side, and that was it,” said Ismail, who is second on the team behind Brown with five touchdowns in 26 catches.