Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson was practicing with his teammates on Thursday, four days after suffering a dislocated shoulder, opening up the possibility that he will play Sunday against visiting Baltimore.
The Raiders practiced in shells Thursday and Woodson was participating. He was injured with a minute to go in the Raiders’ 33-13 home loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. Woodson didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he was on the field stretching in the early portion of practice. He ended up practicing on a limited basis and will be monitored as the week goes on.
Wednesday, Oakland coach Jack Del Rio said “of course” Woodson was pushing to play. Del Rio did not shoot down the idea that Woodson, who will turn 39 next month, could play against the Ravens.
Woodson has not missed a game since returning to the Raiders in 2013 as a free agent from Green Bay. The Raiders need Woodson. They were thin at safety going into Week 1 and fellow starter Nate Allen suffered a torn MCL. He was put on the injured reserve with the designation to return. He will miss at least eight games.
Oakland signed Taylor Mays, who has started just four games since 2010, and he'd be in line to start with fellow career backup Larry Asante if Woodson can’t play Sunday.
Meanwhile, starting defensive tackle Justin Ellis (ankle), backup defensive end Benson Mayowa (knee) and backup fullback Jamize Olawale (ankle) did not practice for the second day this week Thursday. Quarterback Derek Carr again practiced and looked fine. Wednesday, Carr proclaimed himself ready to play Sunday. He left the Bengals’ loss in the second quarter with a bruised hand.
