Raiders placed LB Travis Goethel on injured reserve with an ACL injury, ending his season.

Raiders backup MLB Travis Goethel sustained a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. According to coach Dennis Allen, Goethel's injury "looks to be pretty significant." He has two tackles in eight games this season as the backup to Rolando McClain.

Travis Goethel is standing in as the Raiders' middle linebacker while Rolando McClain attends to legal woes. Goethel, a favorite of Oakland's old coaching staff but also an injury waiting to happen, lined up on the inside at Thursday's OTA practice. McClain is in real danger of missing significant regular season action, so Goethel is a name for IDP leaguers to keep in mind. He could end up making multiple starts.

Raiders LB Travis Goethel is expected to miss the 2011 season after tearing a knee ligament. Goethel will need surgery, ostensibly to repair an ACL tear. The 2010 sixth-round pick had been running as the second-team middle linebacker after offseason indications that he could compete for the starting weak-side job. He should be back to compete for a reserve spot next season. Meanwhile, the Raiders could revisit Lofa Tatupu or even Kirk Morrison.