The Raiders returned to the practice field on Wednesday afternoon to begin their on-field preparation for their Week 16 match-up with the Buffalo Bills. Tarell Brown, Vincent Brown, Chimdi Chekwa, Brian Leonhardt, Denarius Moore, Menelik Watson and C.J. Wilson did not practice due to injury.
Earlier in the week, the Raiders placed LB Sio Moore on Injured Reserve, meaning that second-year player Ray-Ray Armstrong will step in and see more snaps for the remainder of the season.
Armstrong made his first career start Sunday against the Chiefs and recorded four combined tackles. Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano was pleased with the effort he saw from the young linebacker.
Photos from the Raiders Week 16 Wednesday practice - December 17, 2014.
"I thought Ray-Ray played well in the game the other day," said Coach Sparano. "I felt him quite a bit – felt him in some pressures. I thought he did some really good things in the run game, got around the football quite a bit. He was active and played with a good edge to him."
Armstrong had been primarily a special teams player with the St. Louis Rams before arriving in Oakland, and believes that his increased snap count for the final two games will benefit his development as a player.
"It's very beneficial," Armstrong said when discussing his increased playing time. "It's always good to get game reps, so I'm just going out there and trying to take every game in and get better off of each mistake."
On the offensive side of the ball the Raiders have a big challenge this Sunday when the Bills and their fifth-ranked defense come to O.co Coliseum.
"They have a really good rush," said QB Derek Carr. "They have a really good rush plan. Depending on who they play, you can see it, so we have to be ready to go, and I know we will be."
The Silver and Black return to the practice field tomorrow and in preparation for their last home game of the 2014 campaign.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PT.
