| Raiders coach Dennis Allen has returned to the sidelines two days after his father died. (US Presswire) |
Two days after the death of his father, Raiders coach Dennis Allen returned to work Wednesday and led the team during its final practice before Thursday night's game against Denver.
Grady Allen, a former Atlanta Falcons linebacker, died Monday night at 66 in the Dallas area after suffering a heart attack last week. Dennis Allen flew to Dallas on Sunday night after the Raiders' 20-17 loss to Cleveland to be with his father.
While Allen was away from the Raiders, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp filled in at meetings and at practice on Tuesday.
Raiders coaches, including Allen, and players were not available Wednesday to the media.
All systems go: Starting running back Darren McFadden was a full participant in practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain Nov. 4 against Tampa Bay and is listed as probable for Denver. Although there has been no official announcement, most signs point to McFadden starting against the Broncos. He has missed the past four games.
Backup running back Mike Goodson also appears ready to return after missing the past four games with a high ankle sprain. He practiced full for the first time since being injured against the Bucs and was listed as probable.
Starting free safety Matt Giordano and backup safety Mike Mitchell, who suffered concussions Sunday, practiced full and are probable.
Seymour out again: Starting defensive tackle Richard Seymour (hamstring/knee) was ruled out for Thursday night's game. He'll miss his fifth consecutive game since hurting his hamstring against Tampa Bay on Nov. 4.
Punt returner/cornerback Phillip Adams (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday but was limited and is questionable. Rookie defensive end Jack Crawford (toe) is also questionable.
OT Khalif Barnes (triceps) and FB Marcel Reece (hamstring/quadriceps) were limited in practice but listed as probable.
S Tyvon Branch (neck), WR Juron Criner (shoulder), RB Taiwan Jones (ankle), TE Brandon Myers (shoulder), QB Carson Palmer (right thumb) are probable and practiced full.
Gaither talked a good game: Middle linebacker Omar Gaither didn't exactly fill up the stat sheet Sunday against Cleveland when he made his first start as a Raider, in place of the suspended Rolando McClain, but his coaches aren't complaining.
"He did some things communication-wise that were pretty good," defensive coordinator Jason Tarver said earlier this week of Gaither, who had two tackles. "He talks and communicates with the guys. You know, you'd like to have him longer in the system before the first start for you. "
Said linebackers coach Johnny Holland: "Omar's very knowledgeable of the game. He came in and communicated very well, and he understands our system and was able to get guys lined up, make the calls. We were very comfortable with him running our defense as the Mike linebacker. First game this year playing, he did a pretty good job."
Gaither, a former Eagle and Panther, signed with the Raiders as a free agent on Nov. 14 and played exclusively on special teams his first two games, against New Orleans and Cincinnati. He made his 41st career start against Cleveland. After Sunday's game, Gaither described his performance as "decent."
"It could have been better," Gaither said. "I felt a second slower, as far as reacting, in the first half. I guess that's why you go through training camp, all those OTAs and all that stuff."
It won't get any easier for Gaither on Thursday night when he lines up against Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, a master at taking advantage of mismatches and directing the no-huddle offense."
"I am playing catch-up," Gaither acknowledged after the Browns game. "Nobody cares. The Browns don't care. The Raiders don't care. Coach feels confident enough in me to give me the keys, and I have to be able to do it right. The communication was good. I communicated well as far as getting everybody lined up and ready to go. It's just myself, seeing those reps, seeing those live reps and reacting a little faster."
Q&A with Goodell, Madden, Long and Elway: NFL Commission Roger Goodell will take part in a fan forum at Oracle Arena -- adjacent to the O.co Coliseum -- before Thursday night's game. Former Raiders coach John Madden, ex-Raider defensive lineman Howie Long and former Broncos quarterback John Elway, now Denver's executive VP of football operations, will also take part.
Around 150 preselected fans -- all Raiders ticket holders -- will attend the Q&A session with Goodell, Madden, Long and Elway.
Goodell will also hold a press conference after the Q&A.
The fan forum will serve as the NFL's kickoff event as it commemorates the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 50th year. The Hall of Fame opened on Sept. 7, 1963, in Canton, Ohio.
Madden, Long and Elway are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.