Raiders starting linebacker Aaron Curry prides himself on being tough, but he learned there’s such a thing as being too tough on the football field.
During team workouts this offseason, Curry felt pain in his knee.
“It came from the middle of nowhere,” Curry said Wednesday. “I tried to play tough guy and fight through it, which might not have been the best idea.”
Curry aggravated his knee to the point where the Raiders had to put him on the Physically Unable to Perform list when he reported to training camp. He said he’s “on the right track now” but has no target date for his return to action.
“I’m just being patient,” Curry said. “I’m taking care of my responsibility, and my responsibility right now is to get healthy, and once I get healthy I’ll be ready to rip.
“I’m able to run. Until it gets completely comfortable, there’s no need in trying to force the issue. You just got to wait until it feels right. I don’t want the Raiders to have a half-way Curry. I want them to have everything I’ve got.”
Miles Burris, who is manning his spot at weak-side linebacker. Curry calls himself a “player-coach” for the Raiders.
“Guys can feel comfortable to come to me to ask questions, which requires me to do all my homework on the defense, especially at my position,” Curry said. “I can coach everything about linebackers in this defense. So I’m just taking pride right now. I’m trying to outcoach (defensive coordinator Jason) Tarver. I’m trying to outcoach (linebackers) coach (Johnny) Holland on our position. Being a player, players will be more comfortable approaching another player with questions because they don’t have to worry about being evaluated.
“I can still bring energy, I can still bring enthusiasm and I have the knowledge of the playbook at my position where I can spread the wisdom to anybody who has any questions. If I don’t have the answer, I go find it and bring it back to them.”
Burris said he appreciates the help.
“He’s a great player, but he’s also a great teacher, too,” Burris said. “He’s been helping me out a lot, even though I’m at the same position. He’s been giving me tips and encouragement and all that kind of stuff.”
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLOAK
