No McFadden, but Raiders are healing

ALAMEDA -- Sure, running Darren McFadden missed practice again on Thursday and is not likely to play in the regular-season finale against San Diego on Sunday. Same goes for defensive tackle John Henderson, who was trudging around the Raiders locker room on Monday with the aid of a cane.And Jason Campbell's career in Silver and Black essentially ended with the snap of his right collarbone on Oct. 16.Fact is, and even with the enormity of the above-listed names, the Raiders are the healthiest they've been since the season began."We got some guys back," coach Hue Jackson said Thursday.
Among them: receiverreturner Jacoby Ford, who has not played since spraining his left foot against San Diego on Nov. 10 and practiced for the second straight day, running back Taiwan Jones, who has not played since straining a hamstring on Nov. 20 but practiced all of last week and was a gameday scratch, and free safety Michael Huff, who missed the past two games with a hamstring strain."I was really happy with the way (Ford) practiced today," Jackson said. "I think he's getting better and it's good to have him back out there. It's a testament to our medical staff, they've done a great job."When guys are ready to play, when they put them back out there, they've been ready. So we'll see where he is again (Friday). I think he responded from yesterday's practice to today's practice and we'll see where he is tomorrow."Jackson said earlier in the week that he asked Jones if he could play last Saturday in Kansas City and he said no."He's getting better," Jackson said of Jones. "But again, I still haven't seen him just turn it loose yet, and that's kind of what you need to see. I think he's real close. As I asked him today, 'How are you feeling?' He said, 'Coach, much better. I'm practically there.'"But still, to say he's exactly where I think he needs to be to play at a high level, I'm going to (need to) see it, and that's just where I am. I need to see it in order for a guy to do it, because I think if the guy shows you in practice, he's going to do it in a game. I think he's close, and we'll find out in the next day or so."And Jackson's thoughts on Huff?"I think Huff is back," he said. "From what I see. I think he ran well, he's out there with his defensive teammates, I mean, he took quite a few reps over the last couple of days, so he's well on his way. But again, as you know there's still hours and days left and a lot of things can happen between now and then."Then there's eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who missed Wednesday's practice with a cold but was back at it on Thursday.A look, then, at the Raiders' and Chargers' practice reports for Thursday:RAIDERSDid not participate: QB Jason Campbell (collarbone), DT John Henderson (knee), RB Darren McFadden (foot).Limited participation: WR Jacoby Ford (foot), FS Michael Huff (hamstring), RB Taiwan Jones (hamstring), DT Richard Seymour (illness).Full participation: WR Louis Murphy (groin), CB DeMarcus Van Dyke (concussion).CHARGERSDid not participate: TE Antonio Gates (not injury related), WR Vincent Jackson (groin), LB Travis LaBoy (knee), RB Mike Tolbert (hamstring).Limited participation: RB Ryan Mathews (calf), LB Shaun Phillips (back).Full participation: LB Andrew Gachkar (hamstring), LT Jared Gaither (ankle).