Photos from the Raiders Week 6 Thursday practice in Alameda - October 9, 2014.
The Raiders were back on the practice field this afternoon at their Alameda facility, and the theme, both on and off the field seemed to be improvement.
After being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp, CB DJ Hayden is eligible to return to practice next week, and Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano seems pleased with the progress of the second-year player.
"We expect to see DJ next week in practice," said Coach Sparano. "Again, with his treatment right now, the way that everything has been going right now, DJ has done a tremendous job that way and our trainers have done a really good job of that right now, so that's part of the plan as we speak right now."
The interim head coach also spoke of the continued improvement he has seen from QB Derek Carr, who is recovering from an ankle/knee injury suffered in London.
"Carr is continuing to improve," Coach Sparano said. "I thought he was better today than he was yesterday and again, I'll say we'll see where he is tomorrow. These kind of things, you've just got to wait and see, see where we are, but he was little bit better today I think than he was yesterday."
Offensive Coordinator Greg Olson also spoke to the fact that he's seeing development in the rookie quarterback.
"He looks good," said Olson when asked about Carr. "He's got a great attitude, I think. He's a physically tough player in my mind. He's a guy that wouldn't come off the field a week ago if we hadn't dragged him off. He's a tough player and he'll do whatever he needs to do to get ready."
Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver also delivered his weekly press conference on Thursday and spoke about the changes in the Raiders defense as well as the progression he's witnessed from rookie LB Khalil Mack.
"He looks bigger and stronger every week," said Tarver when talking about Mack. "He's in the backfield a lot. He's using his hands. We like what he's doing. He does affect the offense. They need to know where he is and we want that to continue."
The Raiders will have one more day of practice tomorrow to iron out the final details before they take on the Chargers at O.co Coliseum on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT.
