The Raiders returned to the field on Friday afternoon for their final practice before their showdown with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at O.co Coliseum.

Following the afternoon session, Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano addressed the media, and during his injury report indicated that Khalif Barnes was out for Sunday's game and Menelik Watson would replace him in the lineup.

Coach Sparano, who has also served as Watson's offensive line coach, expressed confidence in the second-year lineman and stressed the importance of a game like this in his continued development.

"This will be a big step for him [Watson] as he goes forward," said Coach Sparano. "He played a lot of snaps last week in the ball game and did some good things in that game, did some things that needed to be corrected. I think he's excited about the opportunity right now and he's ready to go. He's worked hard this week."

Although he's starting for the first time this season, the constant roster shuffling that is commonplace in the NFL has kept Watson sharp throughout the first part of 2014.

"I'm always ready," Watson said. "Even when I was doing scout team stuff, I was taking those reps like it was first team reps. I studied like I was still starting, because you never know what happens. I'm always expecting to start. It hasn't changed my preparation. I'm still working and still doing the things I'm always doing."

Watson will have the benefit of making his first start of 2014 back in front of Raider Nation at O.co Coliseum, a place the Raiders haven't played since September 14, and Coach Sparano is excited his football team is back in a friendly environment.

"It'll be great," Coach Sparano said when asked about playing back at home. "We're really looking forward to getting home, really looking forward to getting in front of our fans here. Our fans are passionate people."

WR Brice Butler echoed the sentiment of his head coach and went so far as to say that the environment would be similar to what they saw during their home opener.

"Everybody's excited as far as the community of the Raiders is concerned and the players as well," said Butler. "It's going to be exciting. I think everybody's just anticipating the product that we're going to put out on the field on Sunday."

Kickoff Sunday is scheduled for 1:05 PM, so be sure to check Raiders.com regularly for all things related to the Silver and Black's matchup with the San Diego Chargers.