The Raiders reportedly could be without their starting left tackle for most of the 2013 season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Jared Veldheer will have surgery on his partially torn triceps on Friday. The typical timetable for recovery from a surgery of this kind is three months, Schefter reported.
Having surgery would likely land Veldheer on injured reserve with a designation of possible return later in the 2013 season. Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that the club was leaning toward placing Veldheer on short-term I.R., according to a transcript from the club.
Losing the well-regarded 26-year-old Veldheer is a tough blow to the Raiders’ line. Veldheer, who has 43 NFL starts to his credit, is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
Alex Barron, who hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since 2010, will replace Veldheer at left tackle for now. Allen said on Wednesday.