Photo by Tony Gonzales
The Raiders were back on the practice field Friday for the final time before facing the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 action. After missing time earlier in the week, both Marcel Reece and Justin Tuck participated in practice in a limited fashion.
Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano stopped short of saying that the pair of veterans would play on Sunday, but described his feelings as "cautiously optimistic."
"Based on what I saw today watching them out there today, I thought they did some good things," said Coach Sparano. "I'd be curious to see what happens tomorrow when they get in here, but we'll play that one by ear."
While giving Friday's injury report, Coach Sparano also said that Khalif Barnes was questionable for the Arizona game, but expressed his confidence is second-year tackle Menelik Watson.
"What I've seen so far at the game I've liked, but there's a lot more football to be played here and you just want to know what you're going to get at the game," Coach Sparano said. "Right now, I know what Donald Penn is going to do at the game…With a young player, sometimes they can get on that roller coaster and consistency is going to be the key for him."
Watson spoke after practice and discussed what went well for him last week in his first start of the season.
"Just listening to coaching, going out there with the right mindset, the right mentality," Watson said. "Be aggressive and understand what I have to do. That's all it is. This game is a physical game and there's not too many gray areas in the trenches. It's pretty much black and white. Just trying to be physical, as physical as possible."
In addition to implementing their final preparations for their match-up with Arizona, the Raiders had a special guest in attendance at practice this afternoon. Seven-year-old Maceo Alvarez, who is currently waiting for a heart transplant, watched practice and was then invited by Coach Sparano to break down the huddle. Maceo also had the chance to meet and spend time with his favorite Raider, DJ Hayden.
The Silver and Black will dedicate tomorrow to meetings and treatment and will then welcome the Arizona Cardinals to O.co Coliseum on Sunday at 1:25 p.m.
