StarBulletin.com

Calf injury ends season for Hawaii alum Lelie


By

POSTED: Sunday, December 21, 2008

ALAMEDA, Calif. » Oakland Raiders receiver Ashley Lelie will miss the final two games of the season because of a calf injury. The team activated tight end Darrell Strong from the practice squad yesterday.

Lelie, a Hawaii and Radford alumnus, is the fourth Oakland receiver placed on the season-ending injured reserve list this year, joining Javon Walker (ankle), Drew Carter (knee) and rookie Arman Shields (knee).

Lelie was signed just before the start of the season after Carter injured a knee in an exhibition game. He had 11 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns before injuring his calf last week against New England.

With Ronald Curry doubtful this week with a turf toe injury, the Raiders (3-11) could have no active wide receiver with more than 20 career catches for today's game against Houston.

Second-year receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins (19 career catches) is expected to start alongside rookie Chaz Schilens (nine catches). Todd Watkins and Jonathan Holland, neither having a career reception, would be the backups.

Strong is an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh who has spent the whole season on the practice squad.