Michael Clarkson of the Toronto Star reports that the injuries continue to pile up for the Toronto Raptors. Even though Jerome Williams and Vince Carter are supposed to be ready to play in tonight?s exhibition game against the Celtics, Nate Huffman and Lammond Murray may miss considerable time with new injuries.

Williams (A.K.A. "The Junk Yard Dog") will be seeing his first action of the preseason after suffering through a hamstring pull. He was slightly optimistic about the rash of injuries hitting the club. "It's still pre-season; if there is anytime you have to have an injury and want to get it right, it's before the regular season begins," he said. "At this point, everybody on the team has to contribute more."

Carter missed Friday?s game against New Jersey with a tight back. He ran through a full practice yesterday and will play tonight. He called the injury "just one of those things that comes and goes. I feel fine."

Huffman and Murray could be looking at extended time on the shelf.

Murray sprained his right foot in Friday?s game and the team is waiting for the swelling to go down before they can evaluate the extent of the damage. X-rays have revealed no broken bones.

Huffman may have to have surgery on his right knee tomorrow. They are waiting for a recommendation from a California doctor before they proceed

Coach Lenny Wilkins tries to put the injuries in perspective. "It's a little tough. It's a little unbelievable," he said yesterday. "It's difficult when you have so many guys going down, but we'll get through it. We're trying to get the rotations down and trying to get the new guys to understand and see things. But the only real experience comes on the floor in a game."

If the injury bug continues to haunt the team, other players must step up their games, Carter said. "You work so hard to get the new guys and everybody on the same page and all of a sudden one, two three guys go down. We just have to play harder and stay focused. If some guys aren't ready, we're still pretty good with the guys we have."

Carter believes that Williams' return is a key. "His energy is important, a real asset. It's something we've been missing. I don't know how he does it, but he steps up the level of play."