ALAMEDA – Everyone on the Raiders’ 53-man roster practiced on Thursday in the team’s first intense workout after a long bye weekend.
A key member of this team, however, remains out. Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. is on injured reserve rehabbing a hip injury and is expected to return at some point.
He’ll need to practice before returning to game action, something possible after the team designates him to return off IR. That hasn’t happened yet. Edwards Jr. continues to rehab from a hip injury in the preseason finale.
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He was eligible to practice after six weeks of the regular season and play in Week 9 against Denver.
That didn’t happen, and it seems virtually certain he’ll miss another game on Monday night against Houston in Mexico City.
He still hasn’t been cleared to practice, and head coach Jack Del Rio has repeatedly said he’s waiting for that green light before the second-year pro gets back to work.
It’s uncertain when he’ll return, though his absence has extended beyond original expectations.
NFL
The bye week certainly did the 53-man roster some good, with but a few players limited in Thursday’s practice. That list includes receiver Amari Cooper (back) and running back Latavius Murray (knee).
Texans participation report
Did not practice: RB Alfred Blue (calf), RB Jonathan Grimes (illness), WR Jaelen Strong (ankle)
Limited practice: OT Duane Brown (knee), OT Chris Clark (hip), DE Jadeveon Clowney (wrist), WR Will Fuller (knee), RB Lamar Miller (ankle), ILB Brian Peters (quad), S Eddie Pleasant (neck), OLB John Simon (shoulder), NT Vince WIlfork (groin)
Full participation: G Oday Aboushi (shoulder), CB A.J. Bouye (ankle), TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (neck), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (finger)
Raiders participation report
Limited participation: WR Amari Cooper (back), C Rodney Hudson (knee), DT Stacy McGee (ankle), RB Latavius Murray (ankle), OG Kelechi Osemele (knee), CB Sean Smith (shoulder)