OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Oakland Raiders have lost defensive tackle John Parrella for the balance of the 2002 campaign after placing him on injured reserve.
Parrella, 33, has been hampered by a torn right groin. He suffered the injury on Oct. 5 against the Chicago Bears and missed eight games.
The week after, in the Cleveland contest, he missed a game for the first time in nine years.
"My own doctors told me they couldn't believe how well I was doing," Parrella told the Oakland Tribune. "I was doing great, just not ready to be banged on."
Parrella's strength is as a run stopper and the Raiders' defensive line has suffered in his absence. The Oakland defense is ranked 31st against the run and has recorded just 18 sacks in 13 games.
He becomes the 10th player this season to be placed on IR by the Raiders. Among the others are defensive end Trace Armstrong, linebacker Bill Romanowski, and safety Rod Woodson.
