Injury report: Cooper, Murray return; Raiders C remains out

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ALAMEDA –- Running back Latavius Murray was back at Raiders practice in a limited role Thursday, cleared for work after suffering a concussion in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Receiver Amari Cooper skipped practice with a quadriceps strain on Wednesday but was back on the field as a full participant, looking as smooth as ever.

Center Rodney Hudson, however, remains MIA.

It seems increasingly likely the top-flight center, a real leader along the offensive line, won’t be available for Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Raiders will reveal Hudson’s injury status on Friday, but his sprained right ankle may need time to heal.

[BAIR: Raiders RB Murray symptom free, 'progressing great']

That means Tony Bergstrom would start in Hudson’s place. Reggie McKenzie’s first draft pick as Raiders general manager, a third-rounder in 2012, hasn’t been used much at all. He missed the 2013 season with a foot injury and was inactive for every game last year.

He earned a job as Hudson’s backup, but hadn’t played an offensive snap until Hudson got hurt against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Tony (Bergstrom) I believe played 16 plays last week,” offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said. "He came in of course with minimal preparation time, which happens during the week. Stepped in and did a fine job for us. We’ll have to see how it goes this week.

“We have a couple spots where guys are going to have to step up and come through for us and we’re counting on them.”

Musgrave is preparing his running backs for a significant contribution, in case Murray feels concussion-like symptoms leading up to Sunday’s game.

Marcel Reece, Roy Helu, Taiwan Jones and Jamize Olawale would all be available for duty if Murray, the AFC’s leading rusher, can’t go.

“Those guys all have dominant traits that we like to play to their strengths,” Musgrave said. “We have a terrific roster like we’ve talked about. I think all five guys have scored after eight games, all five running backs. So we have a lot of confidence in each and every one of them.”

As expected, safety Charles Woodson (shoulder) returned to full practice on Thursday.

The Vikings are at nearly full health. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to full practice on Thursday and should start Sunday’s game. Linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks missed practiced for a second straight day, but head coach Mike Zimmer expects both men to play against the Raiders.

The official injury report for both teams comes out on Friday.

Raiders participation report
Did not practice:
LB Neiron Ball (knee), C Rodney Hudson (ankle)
Limited practice: RB Latavius Murray (concussion)
Full practice: WR Amari Cooper (quadriceps), TE Clive Walford (quadriceps), DB TJ Carrie (hip), S Charles Woodson (shoulder)

Vikings participation report
Did not practice:
LB Anthony Barr (hand), LB Eric Kendricks (ribs)
Limited practice: CB Marcus Sherels (shoulder), DT Sharif Floyd (knee/ankle), DT Linval Joseph (foot), DE Justin Trattou (foot), WR Cordarrelle Patterson (xxx)
Full practice: DE Brian Robison (ankle), QB Teddy Bridgewater (concussion), CB Terrance Newman (concussion)

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