Raiders offensive line suffers big blow with torn triceps for starting LT Jared Veldheer

Oakland Raiders starting left tackle Jared Veldheer will need surgery on his torn left triceps and will miss a significant portion of the upcoming season.

Coach Dennis Allen announced the diagnosis on Wednesday after the team got the results of a second MRI on the injured arm. Allen said Veldheer will be a candidate to be put on the injured reserve list with a designation for return, which would require him to miss at least the first eight weeks of the season.

Veldheer is perhaps Oakland's best player on offense at one of the most important positions as the protector of the quarterback's blindside. Alex Barron will get the first shot to replace Veldheer. Barron has not played a game since 2010.