Raiders May Go to Ball-Control Offense

Do the Oakland Raiders have a surprise in store for the San Diego Chargers?

Defensive tackle Jerry Ball, all 317 pounds of him, has been staying after practice to catch passes from quarterback Jeff Hostetler.

“It’s not whether or not I want to catch the ball, it’s whether they trust me enough to throw it to me,” Ball said.

Ball has been used as a fullback in some short-yardage situations, and Raider Coach Mike White vows to use Ball more in the goal-line offense.

White said sending Ball into the game as a fullback “is going to send up a red flare” to opponents, so the only way to keep defenses honest is to have Ball actually take a handoff once in a while.

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A 3-0 start has taken its toil on the Indianapolis Colts, who play the 3-0 Miami Dolphins on Monday night in an AFC East showdown.

The injury list was so long Wednesday that Coach Lindy Infante held a no-contact practice in shorts.

Kicker Cary Blanchard was in the hospital after having two kidney stones removed. Running back Marshall Faulk (dislocated toe) and linebacker Tony Bennett (sprained left knee) did not practice and are listed as doubtful for Monday night’s game. Linebacker Trev Alberts, recuperating from August shoulder surgery, cornerback Derrick Frazier, who broke his right forearm Sept. 8, and defensive lineman Ellis Johnson, who suffered his second concussion of the preseason during the team’s last exhibition, are listed as being out.

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Denver running back Terrell Davis, suffering from migraines that kept him out of most of the second quarter against Tampa Bay, feels “reassured” after meeting with a neurologist. Davis has suffered recurring migraines since he was 7. The neurologist checked Davis’ neural signs and checked to see if he had numbness on his sides. “Everything was clear,” Davis said.