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After filling in for injured Frank Middleton at left guard Monday, Langston Walker is moving back to right tackle for the Raiders' season finale Sunday at San Diego in what could be the beginning of a long run at the position.
Lincoln Kennedy, the starting right tackle for the past eight years, announced
after the loss to Green Bay on Monday that he was retiring at the end of this
season. The Raiders haven't ruled out asking him to change his mind.
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However, Coach Bill Callahan said Friday that Kennedy, 32, will miss the San Diego game because of a torn triceps suffered last week. Chad Slaughter, who finished the Green Bay game at right tackle, will step into the starting lineup at left guard. Walker returns to tackle, where he is more comfortable.
"I figured out pretty quickly what I was brought in here for, and that
was to eventually succeed" Kennedy, said Walker, drafted in the second
round out of Cal in 2002. "I've learned a ton from him. He showed me how
to be a consummate professional in the NFL."
Walker, 25, has started five games at right tackle, stepping in when leg injuries
sidelined Kennedy.
Callahan said those performances, including a solid outing against Chargers
defensive end Marcellus Wiley on Sept. 28, figured in his decision to return
Walker (6-foot-8, 345 pounds) to tackle and move Slaughter (6-8, 340) to guard.
Slaughter, a third-year pro, will be making his first start.
"From a matchup standpoint, with Slaughter on Jason Fisk and Langston Walker
on Marcellus Wiley, it makes the best sense to us," Callahan said. "We
thought Langston played well against Wiley last time, and Slaughter gives us
a lot of size inside."
Walker welcomed the return to tackle. He said his start at guard Monday was
his "first and last."
Walker is not taking anything for granted, however.
"Ever since I got drafted, I've been playing as hard as I can," he
said. "It wouldn't matter whether or not Lincoln was retiring or said he
was signing for another five years. I'm approaching this game the same way I
do all the others."
Versatile Asomugha
Will rookie Nnamdi Asomugha play safety or cornerback Sunday?
"I couldn't even tell you," Asomugha said.
The Raiders' top draft pick played both positions against Green Bay, and the
banged-up defense might need him again at either position.
The constant shifting hasn't been easy or particularly appealing for a young
player working to find his niche.
"I don't have a preference, just as long as I know," Asomugha said.
Injury update
Center Barret Robbins won't play Sunday because of a knee injury that has sidelined
him for the past month. Adam Treu is set to make his fourth start in a row at
center.
Callahan also described wide receiver Jerry Porter (calf) as "very doubtful"
and linebacker Napoleon Harris as "very questionable." Harris would
be replaced by Eric Johnson. The Raiders also might use safety Derrick Gibson
at linebacker on passing downs.