Raiders’ Jared Veldheer headed for injured reserve

The Raiders took a big loss at training camp today as left tackle Jared Veldheer’s MRI revealed a partially torn left triceps that makes him a candidate for injured reserve.

Despite the bad news, Coach Dennis Allen pointed out the opportunities this presents for other players:

“Anytime someone goes down it’s an opportunity for others. My hope is that we’ll be able to have (Veldheer) back at some point this year.”

The team can place one player on injured reserve with the designation of potential to return. Allen said that the team has not established a timetable.

Alex Barron, who is entering his eighth year in the NFL, will step in as the starting left tackle. He echoed Allen about having the opportunity to step up:

“It’s tough on the unit, tough on the team, but everybody has to step up, myself included. First and foremost, it’s an opportunity to be here period. It’s another opportunity obviously, to go up on the chart and help the team as best as I can.”

Barron was a first round pick in the 2005 draft, playing his first five NFL seasons for the St. Louis Rams. He was traded to Dallas in 2010 and signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 before a knee injury forced him to miss the entire season.

Barron signed with the Seahawks last year but did not make the 53-man roster. He signed with Oakland in March.

On a less sour note, Lamarr Houston returned to practice Tuesday after missing 13 straight and Allen said he likes what he sees:

“Lamarr’s done a nice job, but we’ll see whether we play him in the (Saints) game or not, he hasn’t had a lot of contact. That’s something we’ll continue to evaluate.”

Allen said that Houston’s status will be a game-time decision.