Editor's note: Insider Scott Bair is in London with the Raiders. Stay logged on to CSNBayArea.com all week for comprehensive coverage of the Silver and Black
BAGSHOT, England – Miles Burris raised some eyebrows by wearing a large, rigid walking boot early in the Raiders’ London tip. It protected an ailing right foot which needed to be healthy for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Turns out it was more of a precautionary measure.
“The trainers wanted to play it safe, and they had me in a boot to ensure it didn’t get any worse,” Burris said. “But I was confident in my ability to be ready this week."
That confidence was well placed. Burris was back at practice on Thursday afternoon, and ran and slashed without hindrance. That’s a positive for a linebacker corps plagued by injury.
It’s highly unlikely that weakside linebacker Sio Moore will suit up on Sunday, and it’s unwise to count on Nick Roach (concussion) to make his season debut against Miami.
Burris played his best game in Roach’s stead on Sunday, and is getting more comfortable playing in the middle after focusing on the weakside since the offseason program began.
“A lot of my confidence stems from an increasing level of comfort at the (middle) linebacker spot,” Burris said. “The preparation has really helped me understand what I’m seeing out there, and I think I’m reacting better and lining people every week.”
More injury notes from Raiders practice:
-- Strong safety Brandian Ross was in England practicing with the Raiders a day after being claimed off waivers from the Dolphins.
He should be able to merge into the Raiders defense after spending all of last season and this year’s training camp with the Silver and Black.
Ross was claimed after starter Tyvon Branch was place on injured reserve with a foot injury.
“What we’re doing defensively isn’t a ton different than what we’ve done,” Raiders head coach Dennis Allen said. “We’ve got him in here early enough in the week where we feel like we can catch him up and get him up to speed.
"We’ll see where he’s at as the week goes on. We’ve got a couple of days still before we have to play, but I think he can step in and fill a role for us.”
Ross should fall in after current starter Usama Young.
-- Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to play Sunday’s game. He was a full participant in Thursday’s workout.
[BAIR: Jones-Drew: 'I'm part Wolverine']
-- Allen said it's too early to tell whether receiver Rod Streater (fractured foot) will be able to play again this season.
Participation report
Did not practice: LB Sio Moore (ankle), WR Rod Streater (foot), QB Matt Schaub (not injury related)
Limited participation: MLB Miles Burris (foot), MLB Nick Roach (concussion), CB Chimdi Chekwa (knee)
Full participation: OT Matt McCants (knee), RB Maurice Jones-Drew (hand)
Physically unable to perform: DJ Hayden (foot)
Injured reserve: TE Nick Kasa (knee), CB Taiwan Jones (foot), SS Tyvon Branch (foot)
