According to NFL.com, the Raiders, who are thin at tailback, could be on the verge of bringing Charlie Garner back. Garner played for Oakland from 2001-03, gaining 2,354 yards and catching 211 passes for 1,905 yards. Garner signed a free-agent contract with the Bucs in March 2004 but spent most of that season on injured reserve with a knee injury and was released during the offseason.

Oakland receiver Ronald Curry re-injured his right Achilles tendon and will miss at least this week's game against Philadelphia and possibly more if the injury is as serious as the one he had last year. Curry was hurt in the final 2 minutes of Oakland's 23-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night and the severity of his injury won't be known until doctors get the results of his MRI exam. "It's not in the same spot as before," Raiders coach Norv Turner said Monday. "They don't know if it's torn, if it's a sprain or strain, or whatever that is." Turner said no matter what the results of the tests, Curry would not be available for Sunday's game against the Eagles as the Raiders try to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1992.

Rolling Stone, the magazine that was home for years to Hunter S. Thompson, will publish a note written by the gonzo journalist days before he committed suicide in February. Douglas Brinkley, the presidential historian who is also Thompson's official biographer, writes that a Feb. 16 note may be Thompson's final written words. It reads: "No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun ? for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax ? This won't hurt." Hunter left the note for his wife, Anita. He shot himself four days later at his home in Aspen, Colo., after weeks of pain from a host of physical problems that included a broken leg and a hip replacement. Written in black marker, the note was titled, "Football Season Is Over." Brinkley writes in the magazine, on newsstands Friday, "February was always the cruelest month for Hunter S. Thompson. An avid NFL fan, Hunter traditionally embraced the Super Bowl in January as the high-water mark of his year. February, by contrast, was doldrums time." Most of Thompson's early writings appeared in Rolling Stone. In pieces of great length, he often portrayed himself as a wildly intoxicated observer and participant.

Ever since he injured his hamstring early in training camp, Oakland receiver Jerry Porter has vowed to be ready for Thursday night's season opener against New England. Porter missed all four preseason games as he tried to avoid any setbacks, but said Monday he's ready to start alongside Randy Moss for the first time in the opener. He just hopes it won't take too long to shake off any rust. ``I feel like I went about this the right way. I feel like I'll be ready to contribute and play my best against New England on Thursday night,'' Porter said. ``I would have liked to have gotten at least one or two preseason games in and gotten a chance to play against somebody. ... It is how it is.''

Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos, Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most productive receiver in NFL history. Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons. ``This is a happy day,'' he said. ``I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride. ``I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life.'' Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew -- that he would be a fourth or fifth receiver, at best this season -- and Rice confirmed what many figured -- that he would rather call it quits than be a bit player with the Broncos.