| Raiders LB Aaron Curry is taking more reps, but the timetable for his return is still unknown. He is recovering from injured knees that forced him to miss the entire training camp. (US Presswire) |
Linebacker Aaron Curry took more reps with the defense Wednesday and has been getting special teams work in practice, according to coach Dennis Allen, but if and when he'll be activated is still to be determined.
Curry began practicing two weeks ago after being on the PUP list with injured knees that forced him to miss all of training camp. The Raiders had a 21-day window from that point to decide whether to activate Curry, waive him or place him on injured reserve.
"We'll see where we're at, at the end of the week," Allen said of whether Curry would be activated for Tampa Bay. "We don't have to make any decision until next week on him.
"We have to make the decision that we think is best for this football team. He hasn't played football in a long time. It's not like you just come out and start playing football after a week or two and everything is fine and good. There's still some things we want to see out of him. Whenever we feel like it's the best move for the football team, we'll make the move."
Allen was asked if there was any chance Curry wouldn't be activated this season.
"That's a crystal ball you have to look in to say if there's any chance that he wouldn't," Allen said. "Our anticipation is we will activate him. But again, I don't have that crystal ball."
Ancient history: It's been 10 seasons since the Buccaneers beat the Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. Only three players who suited up for that game will be on the field Sunday: Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler and Bucs safety Ronde Barber.
"I never think about that," Barber said during a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "That seems like a lifetime ago. ... That's not something that ever comes up. Obviously when people bring it up you recollect and remember. But it really doesn't seem like the same career. That's a long time gone for me."
Barber played cornerback in the Super Bowl and for most of his career until switching to free safety this season. He has three interceptions, returning one 95 yards for a touchdown.
"It was a pretty smooth transition," Barber said. "I've described it as being seamless. Just kind of went back there, got enough reps at it during the offseason. I had done it some in the past and over the years with Raheem (Morris) and even Monte (Kiffin) a little bit in some of their defenses. It wasn't anything I hadn't done before, but playing back there full time, it's just getting some of the learning under my belt. I think I've adjusted to it pretty well by now."
Spencer update: CB Shawntae Spencer has missed the past five games with a sprained right foot, and he appears likely to miss his sixth straight Sunday. Allen said that although Spencer hasn't suffered a setback, "The progress has slowed a lot more than what we anticipated. We anticipated there would be more progress by this point in time, but it's coming around a little slower than what we had hoped. It's through no fault of his, just the nature of the injury."
Injury report: Spencer, RT Khalif Barnes (groin), DT Richard Seymour (knees) and LB Keenan Clayton (shoulder) did not participate in practice. Seymour, according to Allen, basically got a day off to rest his knees and his entire body and should be able to play Sunday. Clayton's injury, though, has Allen concerned. Barnes has missed the past five games and appears headed for his sixth straight on the sidelines.
C Stefen Wisniewski (ankle) was a limited participant in practice, and RB Mike Goodson (turf toe) practiced fully. Allen said he expects both to play Sunday.
OT Willie Smith (ankle), MLB Rolando McClain (toe), DE David Tollefson (shoulder) and K Sebastian Janikowski (left groin) were also limited.
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLOAK.