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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:53 a.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2008

NFL: Sore elbow sidelines Raiders QB Russell

Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was held out of all team drills during the evening practice yesterday after banging his elbow off the helmet of teammate Darren McFadden earlier in the day.

Russell, Oakland's starter this season after spending most of last season on the sidelines, complained of stiffness in his elbow after warming up and making a few throws early during the night session. The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2007 wore a thick bag of ice on his right elbow at one point. He watched as Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo split the reps with the Raiders' first-team offense.

"We didn't foresee it being an issue because when we checked him out after (the morning) practice he was fine," Oakland coach Lane Kiffin said. "But he came out and warmed up, threw the ball and it just stiffened up a little bit on him. So we erred on the side of safety and pulled him out at that point.

"If we were playing a game he could have very easily played, so I don't foresee it being an issue at all."

Kiffin said he expects Russell to be able to practice when the Raiders hold an afternoon workout today.

This is Russell's first training camp. He missed Oakland's entire camp and the preseason a year ago while he was locked in contract negotiations with the team. He played in three games as a rookie, starting the season finale against San Diego.