Raiders WR Carter, FB O'Neal out for season

Aug 25, 2008 - 2:21 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Oakland Raiders wide receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O'Neal suffered season-ending knee injuries in the first quarter of Saturday's 24-0 preseason loss to Arizona, coach Lane Kiffin said during a conference call on Sunday.

Carter, who signed a one-year, $2 million free-agent deal in the offseason, sustained a torn ACL. Oakland was counting on him to complement Javon Walker and Ronald Curry.

Carter's injury came at the end of a seven-yard reception. He immediately rolled over, grabbed his left knee and awaited help from two team trainers.

"Obviously, both were really down, especially Drew," Kiffin said. "He's had so many things like this happen to him. I believe this might be his fourth ACL, maybe, in his career. He's had a lot of tough breaks injury-wise. He was on a one-year contract, so this was very tough for him."

Carter set career highs of 38 catches, 517 yards and four touchdowns for Carolina last season.

It is a tough loss for the Raiders, who do not have much depth at wide receiver after Walker and Curry. The two other receivers on the roster - Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chris McFoy - have combined for seven career catches.

"Besides Javon and Ronald, none of those guys have really played before," Kiffin said.

O'Neal's injury was not specified, but Kiffin said it could be career-threatening. A sixth-round pick last season, O'Neal had his knee buckle while attempting to make a block on the opening kickoff Saturday.