PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Elway Doubtful, but Not in L.A.

The official word is “doubtful.�

The final word might not come until Sunday.

But the word from the Raiders on Wednesday did not waver: They expect to see John Elway at quarterback Sunday when the Denver Broncos play at the Coliseum.

Elway is suffering from a bruised right shoulder, suffered in last Sunday night’s game against the New York Giants.

“I imagine No. 7 will play,� said Raider quarterback Jay Schroeder, who has been battling Elway since the two were opposing high school quarterbacks in Los Angeles. “If it is at all possible, he will play.�

Coach Art Shell is designing his game plan under that assumption.

Elway said he will give his shoulder its first test Friday.

“We hope he’ll get enough strength and the soreness will go out of his arm,� Bronco Coach Dan Reeves said.

“We’re going to wait as late as we can (in the week to make a decision) because this game is really important for us and we have to go after the Raiders with the best thing we’ve got.�

Raider tight end Ethan Horton received a concussion and a bruised sternum in last Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. But Shell expects Horton to play Sunday. . . . Not playing will be Denver running back Sammie Smith, sidelined because of a groin strain.