Is Kirk Morrison's Injury Bad for the Raiders or Just Bad News for Him?

In the Raiders' second preseason game, they lost another starter to injury. Last week it was WR Chaz Schilens; this week it was middle linebacker Kirk Morrison.

Morrison reportedly dislocated his shoulder trying to make a tackle when someone landed on it. Trainers had to pop it back in on the sideline.

Morrison is expected to miss at least two weeks, and he may miss out on the Charger game opening week, but he wants to return as soon as possible.

"I feel great. Just a little sore," Morrison said in the locker room afterward. "Give it a couple weeks to let it rest, let it heal. Just kind of aiming for that season opener. Maybe get out there for Seattle a little bit (on Sept. 3)."

"No Seattle," Morrison's teammate and friend Thomas Howard said from the next locker. "Ain't gonna let you play."

Though Morrison wants to play as soon as possible, the Raiders aren't willing to risk his health in a meaningless practice game.

Morrison's reasons for wanting to play are obvious. He is fighting for his job as he and Ricky Brown have been splitting starting reps.

Brown's performance, including a long interception return early in the SF game, may even have given him an edge over Morrison in the competition to start.

Now with Morrison out for at least the remaining preseason, that gap may even get wider over the next two weeks.

If Brown can excel where Morrison didn't—attacking the line of scrimmage, shedding blocks, blitzing, whatever—then the days of seeing No. 52 in the middle of the Raiders defense may be over.

But this may not all be bad news. Morrison's ability and performance has been criticized by some lately, and some would even say Brown may be more suited for the middle.

But don't count out Morrison yet. When he returns, he is likely to return with a fire we have never seen from him before, especially if Brown is named as starter over Morrison.

What happens if Morrison returns but proves to be less than or a near equal to Brown?

Well, there has been talk of moving Morrison back outside; maybe this will be what finally makes it happen.

If Morrison doesn't earn back his starting spot this season, then I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't re-signed in the offseason—especially considering not only Morrison but Jon Alston, Howard, and Brown are all on contract years also.

I know last year no one expected the Raiders to re-sign both Shane Lechler and Nnamdi Asomugha. This year I doubt the Raiders re-sign all four linebackers, though considering last year and the fact that it is an uncapped year, it is not impossible.

So what do you think about the Morrison injury: a blessing in disguise or just plain bad news?