Like most teams, the Raiders are heading into the bye week with hopes of healing up a few injuries before they return to the field for their next game.
That effort got off to a good start on Tuesday. According to Paul Gutierrez of CSNBayArea.com, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey returned to practice. Heyward-Bey has been sidelined since suffering a concussion and neck injury on a hit to the head by Steelers safety Ryan Mundy, a hit that went unpenalized on the field but earned Mundy a $21,000 fine from the NFL last week.
Per Gutierrez, Heyward-Bey took part in stretches and worked with the first-team offense during the portion of practice that was open to the media. It’s not known whether or not he has been cleared for contact at this point since coach Dennis Allen won’t be speaking to the media on Tuesday, but the return to physical activity certainly bodes well for a return to action for Heyward-Bey on Oct. 14 against the Falcons.
Heyward-Bey’s return would be good for the passing game, but it probably won’t do too much to help the running game get off the ground. The Raiders have the worst rushing attack in the league through four games at under 61 yards per game and that isn’t helping the Raiders hold onto the ball long enough to avoid overexposing a defense that hasn’t stopped anyone to this point.