Raiders TE Richard Gordon will make his second straight start Friday night against Arizona in place of the injured Brandon Myers (shoulder).

Gordon started Monday night against Dallas despite an illness but left the game early. He’s healthy now and will have a chance to make a case for why he should prevail in what’s seen as a three-man battle for the starting job between Myers, Gordon and David Ausberry.

“Nobody’s locked that job down,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said. “Obviously it’s hurt Brandon that he hasn’t been able to be out here with a shoulder, but I’ve been impressed with what Richard’s been able to do. He gives us a little bit better blocking presence on the edge. I’ll be interested to see how he comes out and plays.”

At 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds, Gordon is the Raiders’ biggest and most powerful tight end. This year he’s improved his route running, and he’s been catching the ball better.

Down and out: Allen ruled out nine injured players for Friday night’s game: WR Denarius Moore (hamstring), C Stefen Wisniewski, P Shane Lechler (knee), RB Taiwan Jones (hamstring), TE Brandon Myers (shoulder), LB Aaron Curry (knee), FB Rashawn Jackson (hip), OL Ed Wang (shoulder) and OT Zach Hurd (head).

To-do list: Allen said the No. 1 thing he wants to see from his team against Arizona is “improvement” over its performance in Monday night’s 3-0 loss to Dallas.

“We got to get better,” Allen said. “Our execution has to be better. Our tempo in and out of the huddle on offense has got to be better. Special teams wise we’ve got to do a better job of executing in the return game as well as on the operations on field goals.

“I want to see significant improvement in those areas that weren’t quite as good last week.”

Add one: The Raiders signed second-year linebacker Korey Bosworth, the nephew of former Seahawk and Oklahoma Sooner Brian Bosworth. A former UCLA Bruin, Bosworth spent the 2010 season on injured reserve with the Detroit Lions after breaking a leg. He was in the Lions camp again in 2011 and again this season. The Lions released him this month after their first exhibition game, against Cleveland.

Bosworth, wearing No. 97, practiced with the Raiders for the first time Thursday and was set to travel with the team to Arizona and play in Friday’s game against the Cardinals.

“He’s a guy that we’re bringing in for some depth at linebacker, giving him an opportunity to play some special teams Friday night and see what he can do,” Allen said.

Extra points: The starters will get a “significant” bump in playing time Friday night from what they got Monday night against Dallas, Allen said. “Every game you’re going to play a little bit more. That’s kind of tradition in the NFL.”

DT Jamie Cumbie (foot) and Jack Crawford (foot) practiced. Allen said he expects them to play Friday but that they will be “game-time” decisions. … DT Richard Seymour (knee) did plenty of work Thursday and is expected to play against Arizona. He missed Monday’s game. … Backup center Alex Parsons will make his first start, replacing the injured Wisniewski.

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLOAK.