PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Bender Called Up; Bunch Waived

Wes Bender always wanted to be a fullback. Wanted it so bad, in fact, that he transferred from Burbank High to Burroughs rather than switch from fullback to guard.

Bender, 24, is still a fullback. And Wednesday, after subsequent stops at Glendale College, USC and the Kansas City Chiefs, Bender officially joined his hometown team, the Raiders.

The Van Nuys native was promoted from the practice squad after fullback Jarrod Bunch was waived.

The Raiders are expected to sign the 5-foot-10, 235-pound Bender, a blocking specialist, to a two-year deal.

“The hard work finally paid off,” said Bender, who started 10 games for the Trojans in his senior season and rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown in 25 carries.

A free agent rookie with the Chiefs, Bender suffered a broken ankle in the preseason and was put on injured reserve. He joined the Raiders as a free agent last spring.

“He’s a tremendous blocker,” Coach Art Shell said. “A very tough guy. We ask our fullbacks to do a lot of blocking. He will go in there and strike you.”

Bender will back up starting fullback Tom Rathman and also play on special teams.

Bunch, who was signed last month, appeared in three games for the Raiders but never carried the ball.

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Safety Eddie Anderson is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Houston Oilers at the Coliseum because of a groin injury.