ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders expect new receiver Javon Walker to be ready for training camp when he recovers from injuries incurred during a robbery in Las Vegas last weekend.
Raiders coach Lane Kiffin finally spoke to Walker by phone Wednesday morning, more than two days after Walker was discovered unconscious and beaten on a back street near the Las Vegas Strip following a night of partying. Walker was released from a hospital after treatment for a concussion and facial injuries.
“The info that I have is he’s going to be fine,” Kiffin said. “Training camp won’t be an issue. . . . But until our guys look at him, I don’t want to say (the extent of Walker’s injuries).”
Kiffin said Walker was scheduled to fly to Oakland on Wednesday evening in time to attend the final session of the Raiders’ organized team activities today, though he obviously won’t suit up with quarterback JaMarcus Russell and his new teammates.
Oakland opens training camp July 25 in Napa, Calif.
“We are aware that Javon Walker was the victim of a robbery,” Raiders spokesman Mike Taylor said in a statement. “We have been told that he will make a full recovery in the near future and resume his preparation for the 2008 NFL season.”
A Las Vegas police spokesman said a large amount of cash and expensive jewelry were taken from Walker, who was photographed earlier in the fateful evening spraying a nightclub crowd with champagne. His agent, Kennard McGuire, said Walker was “recovering in a private environment” on Wednesday.
Walker signed a six-year, $55 million deal with the Raiders.
