An Oakland Raiders secondary dangerously depleted by injuries will have to get by over the balance of the '02 campaign minus cornerback Phillip Buchanon, the exciting first-round draft choice who fractured his left wrist last weekend.

The Raiders on Friday opted to place Buchanon on the injured reserve list, a move first reported Thursday by ESPN.com, and by definition ending his season. The decision came after the club sent the former University of Miami star earlier this week to get a second opinion on the wrist.

The original diagnosis was that Buchanon would miss about eight weeks and might be able to return for the final week or two of the season. But the club decided after the second opinion, that Buchanan would probably not be fully recovered even for late-season duty.

"From what we were told, Phillip probably would not have made it back," coach Bill Callahan said. "We didn't have the luxury of keeping him active and gambling he might get back for a game or two."

The 17th overall choice in the draft, Buchanon was apprised on Thursday of the decision, and was said to be disappointed at missing the rest of the year.

Oakland is already playing without Pro Bowl corner Charles Woodson, who has a fractured shoulder and will not play on Sunday.

The club signed two young defensive backs, Brock Williams and Brandon Jennings, to the practice squad Tuesday. After creating a roster spot by placing Buchanon on injured reserve, Jennings, who was with the team in training camp, was signed to the active roster.

Buchanon played in six games, starting the last two in place of Woodson, and had 21 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He had an interception return for a score and also a punt return for a touchdown.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.