Center Jim Otto was disgnosed with a strained right knee and was ruled out for the preseason opener against Houston on August 2. It would mark the first time in Raiders history, preseason or regular season.

Defensive end Ben Davidson was at practice for the first time all season after recovering from an emergency appendectomy a month ago.

Rookie defensive back Lawrence Chambers was back at practice a couple of weeks earlier than expected after undergoing surgery for a dislocated wrist last week.

The Raiders hired Bob Bestor as a public relations assistant sometime on or before this date.