Garner could miss Sunday's game at St. Louis

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Raiders running back Charlie Garner didn't practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury and remains questionable for Oakland's game at St. Louis on Sunday.

``Basically he's just rehabbing right now,'' said Oakland head coach Bill Callahan. ``He's too sore to go yet.''

Garner was hurt while scoring on a 69-yard touchdown pass reception from Rich Gannon early in the fourth quarter of the Raiders' 49-31 win over Buffalo on Oct. 6. It was the sixth touchdown of the season for Garner, who has developed into one of Oakland's most valuable players on offense.

Through four games, the 30-year-old Garner leads the Raiders in yards rushing (334) while averaging 8.4 yards a carry, is second in receiving yardage (262) and third in total receptions. His combined 596 yards is good enough for fourth in the AFC and fifth overall.

Callahan said it was too early to determine if Garner would play against the Rams. Last year Garner did not practice at all the week before Oakland's playoff game against New York, but he rushed 15 times for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Jets.

``If he did nothing all week and came out there and was still real tight, then we'd probably sit him down,'' Callahan said. ``He's in the meetings all week long. He's out at practice and he's getting the mental reps. He's just not getting the physical reps.''

If Garner is unavailable, the Raiders will most likely lean on Terry Kirby to replace him in the offense. Though Tyrone Wheatley is listed as Garner's backup, Kirby is more adept as a receiver and is a better fit with Oakland's offense this season. Wheatley, Kirby and Randy Jordan all split time with the first-team offense during Wednesday's practice.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)