by Matt Kawahara
mkawahara@sacbee.com
NAPA -- Raiders punter Shane Lechler has not practiced yet in training camp because he is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, the seven-time Pro Bowler said today.
Lechler said he had the procedure shortly before the start of camp and fully expects to punt in a game before the preseason is over. He said he had the procedure to address nagging discomfort in the knee.
"It happened just in the offseason," Lechler said. "It just slowly progressed. I'd work out and then I'd have swelling, then I'd work out and have swelling. I just came up and had it cleaned out."
Lechler said he "(feels) a whole lot better already than I did before," and that he hit a few punts Tuesday while the Raiders had a short closed workout following their preseason owner. He also said he cut his weight down over the offseason "to make this procedure go a lot faster."
Asked if he expects to punt in the preseason, Lechler said: "No doubt. I don't have any doubt. I'm going to leave that up to them (the coaches) on what they want to do."
* Running back Mike Goodson practiced for the first time since being taken off the field and hospitalized following a practice collision with linebacker Philip Wheeler on Aug. 7.
Goodson was released from the hospital later that night after tests came back negative, but had been held out since with neck soreness. Allen said he expects Goodson, who is battling for the backup running back job, will play Friday night at Arizona.
"It feels great," Goodson said. "Tried to get my heart rate up a little bit, tried not to lose a beat or go slower ... and see how it makes me feel. I felt pretty good."
* The Raiders waived/injured linebacker Mario Kurn and receiver Duke Calhoun, both of whom suffered season-ending ACL injuries in practice on Saturday, and will place them on injured reserve once they clear waivers.
* Jamie Cumbie (foot), Aaron Curry (knee), Zach Hurd (head), Rashawn Jackson (hip), Taiwan Jones (hamstring), Denarius Moore (hamstring), Brandon Myers (shoulder), Ed Wang (shoulder) and Stefen Wisniewski (calf) were held out of practice.
Curry is still getting treatment on his knees in Los Angeles. Receiver Eddie McGee returned after missing extended time with a hamstring injury.
* With a quick turnaround before their second preseason game Friday at Arizona, the Raiders practiced in shorts and shells Wednesday and will do so again today.
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