National Football League
McClain misses practice, status uncertain
National Football League

McClain misses practice, status uncertain

Published Dec. 2, 2011 10:20 p.m. ET

Oakland coach Hue Jackson said he is disturbed by the allegations against the Raiders' Rolando McClain but hasn't ruled the second-year linebacker out for Sunday's game in Miami.

McClain was arrested Thursday on misdemeanor assault, firearms and other charges after police said he fired a gun during a fight in his Alabama hometown. The eighth overall pick in the 2010 draft, McClain later posted $2,000 bail and was released.

Before McClain was arrested, Jackson said he expected him to play against the Dolphins. Jackson backed off those comments a day later after learning more details about the incident.

''I'm disturbed by everything. Anything that hurts this organization or hurts this football team and what we talk about and what we're trying to become, I'm very disturbed by it,'' Jackson said Friday. ''There's a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things, and obviously there was something done wrong.''

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Jackson didn't attempt to hide his frustrations as he spoke with reporters about the situation and said he wouldn't wait for the NFL to act before making a decision about what the Raiders will do with McClain.

The rookie head coach also said he isn't worried about the incident being a distraction to the 7-4 Raiders, who hold a one-game lead in the AFC West.

''I have 52 other players that are doing things the right way and doing things as I see they should be doing it and we're getting ready to play a game,'' Jackson said. ''I will deal with Rolando when that time comes.''

McClain missed his third straight practice Friday and Jackson said the linebacker was not in Oakland. McClain had been in Alabama to attend his grandfather's funeral at the time of his arrest and it's not known if he plans to join the team in Miami.

According to a statement released Thursday by John Crouch of the Decatur Police Department, the 22-year-old McClain is alleged to have held a gun beside a man's head during an altercation and the man begged him not to shoot.

McClain moved the gun but fired a round beside the man's ear, according to the statement. No one was shot, but police said a man who was injured in the altercation drove himself to a hospital, where he was treated and released.

McClain was arrested the following day and faces charges of assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and firing a gun inside the city limits.

McClain's attorney, Billy C. Burney II, said the linebacker denies he fired a gun and said he was not involved in the fight.

The NFL may take action regardless, though Jackson said emphatically he won't wait.

''The league's going to do what they're going to do, and I respect that,'' Jackson said. ''But this isn't right now about the league. This is about the Raiders and this organization and coach Jackson and this football team. We'll deal with it accordingly when that time comes.

''I'm not going to let anybody stop this train from where it's going. I don't care who it is, and I think the team's that way. And this team has taken on my personality, and I know that and I believe that. We're not going to get concerned about anybody that's not on the train the right way. We're going to get ready to go to Miami to win a football game. That's all they know, that's all I know, and that's what we're going to be concerned about.''

McClain, the Raiders' second-leading tackler, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with an ankle injury he originally suffered in early October and aggravated in last week's 25-20 win over the Chicago Bears.

If McClain does not play in Miami, the Raiders have few options because Darryl Blackstock has not played well when filling in for McClain.

Outside linebacker Aaron Curry, acquired in a trade with Seattle earlier this year, took a few snaps at middle linebacker during the Bears game and could spend more time there this week.

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