ALAMEDA – The Raiders put Menelik Watson through a workout on Monday, to test the right tackle's fitness returning from a groin injury.
He showed great progress, enough to be cleared for football activity. Watson returned to practice on Wednesday, a session conducted in full pads.
That's a positive sign the Raiders offensive line will return to original form. Austin Howard took Watson's place despite dealing with ankle issues. They kept him out on Wednesday.
Watson had a strong training camp and preseason, which helped earn the starting gig over Howard. He suffered a groin injury in the first half of the season opener at New Orleans and did not return.
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Watson has a long injury history, with knee and calf issues holding him back his first two years and an Achilles' tendon tear that stole his third season.
Also, Raiders cornerback David Amerson was cleared to practice. He was limited, participating in individual drills without pads on. Head coach Jack Del Rio expects Amerson will be ready to play Sunday at Tennessee.
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Offensive lineman Matt McCants, also hurt in the Saints game, has not returned. He is dealing with a knee sprain. Defensive lineman Darius Latham was held out with a head injury suffered in the loss to Atlanta.
Center Rodney Hudson and guard Gabe Jackson were limited with knee injuries. So was defensive lineman Jihad Ward, who is dealing with an hip issue.
A full participation report is listed below.
Raiders participation report
Did not practice: OT Austin Howard (ankle), DT Darius Latham (head), OT Matt McCants (knee)
Limited practice: C Rodney Hudson (knee), RG Gabe Jackson (knee), RB Taiwan Jones (knee), CB David Amerson, OT Menelik Watson (groin), DL Jihad Ward (hip)
Titans participation report
Did not practice: CB Valentino Blake (chest), CB Brice McCain (knee), TE Delanie Walker (hamstring), G Chance Warmack (finger)
Limited practice: OLB Derrick Morgan, TE Phillip Supernaw (back), WR Kendall Wright (hamstring)
