PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AFC : Bates Leaves Raider Camp

Safety Patrick Bates abruptly left the Oakland Raiders, four days before the team’s opener at the Oakland Coliseum.

“He’s decided to leave the squad for personal reasons, some personal things that are important to him,” Raider Coach Mike White said. Bates was scheduled to be the starting strong safety.

White said he had no idea if Bates might return to the team and that Derrick Hoskins will start at strong safety Sunday.

*

Buffalo Bill special teams ace Steve Tasker, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, pulled a hamstring in practice during receiving drills and could be out three weeks. . . . Todd Collins was named backup quarterback by the Bills, despite being outplayed in training camp by third-stringer Alex Van Pelt. . . . Coach Bobby Ross returned to the San Diego Chargers’ training camp, using a motorized cart to get to and from the practice field. . . . The Cleveland Browns and Eric Turner agreed to terms on a three-year contract, ending his 40-day holdout.