ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Raiders LT Jared Veldheer's triceps is only partially torn, and that doctors believe he'll be "available for much of the season."

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer (torn triceps) is expected to be placed on injured reserve/designated to return.

That means the earliest Veldheer could return is Week 8, but he'll likely be sidelined much longer than that. Anything before Thanksgiving isn't realistic. Veldheer's loss further decimates what was already one of the league's worst lines. ESPN's Bill Williamson calls C Stefen Wisniewski Oakland's "only legitimate" offensive lineman. We don't disagree. Matt Flynn and Darren McFadden are headed into a hopeless situation.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer has been diagnosed with a torn triceps, and will undergo surgery.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer has added five pounds this offseason and "considerable muscle tone" as he prepares for his contract year.

Veldheer altered his workout regime and diet, and a self-Twitter pic he recently posted drew comparisons to The Incredible Hulk. Just 25 years old -- he turns 26 in June -- Veldheer graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 9 left tackle in 2012, performing especially well as a pass blocker. The Raiders are going to lock him up next offseason when they come into more salary cap space.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer's 2013 salary jumped from $575,000 to $1.323 million based on rookie-deal incentives.

Veldheer has started 43 of a possible 48 games since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2010. In 2012, he graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 12 tackle, excelling as a pass protector. Veldheer is a candidate for extension as he enters the final year of his contract.

Raiders LT Jared Veldheer has allowed just two sacks this season after being burned for 7.5 as a rookie.

He's also drastically reduced his penalties while emerging as one of the most promising young blindside tackles in the NFL. The Raiders O-Line is second in the league in fewest sacks (11) allowed. Veldheer will be tested by Jared Allen this week.

Coach Hue Jackson indicated Thursday that offensive line will be a top priority in next week's draft.

"I want to get a little more physical, tougher, meaner," Jackson said. "We need to be much stronger in the offensive line." LT Jared Veldheer is the only returning starter under contract, though Bruce Campbell is expected to move into the starting lineup at guard. RT Langston Walker, RG Cooper Carlisle, and C Samson Satele are all free agents. The Raiders want Satele back.

Rookie Jared Veldheer appears to have taken the left tackle job from Mario Henderson.

The two have been splitting reps during games, but Veldheer is dominating the workload in this week's practice. Henderson has been one of the worst blindside tackles in the game the past couple of years, so the move should upgrade the Raiders' pass blocking.

Jared Veldheer and Mario Henderson are expected to rotate at left tackle Week 4 against the Texans.

The 6-foot-8 center experiment is finally coming to a close, as the Raiders realized having Veldheer at left tackle makes their line significantly better. That being said, expect Mario Williams to have his way with whoever is trying to protect QB Bruce Gradkowski's blind side.

Rookie Jared Veldheer was pulled off center in favor of Samson Satele in Week 2, and rotated series with LT Mario Henderson.

Veldheer was a disaster as a 6-foot-8 center, so it was a good move by the Raiders. The Division II rookie shared time evenly with the struggling Henderson, and Oakland's offensive line immediately looked better after Bruce Gradkowski replaced Jason Campbell. Veldheer was a left tackle in college.

Jared Veldheer has won the Raiders' starting center job.

Veldheer beat out Samson Satele for the gig. Standing 6'8, Veldheer is a converted tackle that is now the tallest starting center in the league by a wide margin. This Raiders line is very physical, if nothing else.

The Raiders are giving rookie Jared Veldheer a legitimate chance to win their starting center job.

This one's going to be a doozy. Veldheer, a converted offensive tackle from Division II Hillsdale, stands a shade higher than 6-foot-8. Needless to say, he'd be the tallest starting center in football. He'd better bend his knees.

Rookie Lineman Jared Veldheer has been getting practice reps at center.

At 6-8, Veldheer would become the tallest center in the league by a solid two inches. It's an interesting move, as Veldeer's only experience at the position came in high school. Samson Satele is the current starter, although it's anyone's guess as to who will open up the season. We're guessing Satele will be able to hold him off, though you never know with the Raiders.

Raiders rookie Jared Veldheer is lining up as the second-team left tackle while Bruce Campbell works as the second-string right guard.

We'd like to see Veldheer at right tackle, where he'd have a better chance of unseating mediocre veterans Langston Walker and Khalif Barnes. Campbell will push veteran Cooper Carlisle, who has slipped mightily the past two years.

Raiders signed third round OT Jared Veldheer to a four-year contract.

Veldheer is going to his chance to protect the Raiders new QB Jason Campbell. The Raiders needed serious help on the offensive line and helped their cause by drafting Veldheer and Campbell. Both linemen are athletic freaks, which is why it is no shock that they ended up in Oakland.

In addition to fourth-round OL Bruce Campbell, third-rounder Jared Veldheer "will have every opportunity" to win a starting job this year.

A skyscraper from tiny Hillsdale College at 6'8/312, Veldheer has been lauded by many as a high-upside sleeper pick. Drawing comparisons to Pats OT Sebastian Vollmer, Veldheer will have to outplay Campbell and veteran Khalif Barnes for the starting right tackle job.

Raiders selected Hillsdale OT Jared Veldheer with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Oakland has passed over Bruce Campbell three times now. Veldheer was also impressive at the Combine, clocking in at just over 5.0 in the forty with 32 reps on the bench at 6-foot-8, 312 pounds. Linemen coming from such small schools are always big projects, but this one has a big upside. Veldheer's outlook at left tackle is dimmed by short arms and a need to beef up.