Raiders Notebook: Healthy Strides in Alameda

Nov. 19, 2010
RAIDERS PAGERAIDERS VIDEO

Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.com

ALAMEDA -- There was a familiar jersey No. 81 running routes and catching passes at the start of the Raiders' light practice Friday morning.Chaz Schilens' addition, along with the inclusion of fellow walking wounded Raiders Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and John Henderson, marked the first time this season Oakland had everyone on the 53-man roster on the practice field at the same time.Still, Schilens' presence was more to gauge his progress from knee surgery in training camp. He has not played since the season began, let alone practiced, and will be inactive for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh."It was both positive and negative," coach Tom Cable said of Schilens' work.Tight end Miller (foot) said he would play while Cable said cornerback Asomugha (ankle) and defensive tackle Henderson (foot) would be gametime decisions. Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring) was also limited."We're fortunate," Cable said. "We've had a good deal of taking care of our bodies the right way, and that's the players' responsibility, and we've avoided those big issues. So, good for us."Officially, all except for Schilens are listed as "questionable" for the game, giving Cable and his staff more need for pause when figuring out the active 45 come Sunday."It's a good problem to have," he said.Henderson has not played since the home opener against St. Louis on Sept. 19 while Asomugha and Miller both missed the pre-bye overtime victory against Kansas City on Nov. 7."I feel good," Miller said after practice. "I got a chance to run a lot of routes today, catching the ball. Jason (Campbell) was throwing it to me. It feels good. It feels good to be healthy again."Miller initially tweaked what was described as an arch strain in his right foot at Denver on Oct. 24. He played through it but came off the field for several plays against Seattle a week later."Yeah, I was definitely worried about it," he said. "The timing of the bye week was great because it allowed me to get a ton of treatment and really help me recover."
Pittsburgh awaits.
"It's going to be fun," he said. "You know, this is what you get to play in when you're winning. You get to play in important games. Everyone's excited to get over there and take care of business."