Left guard Robert Gallery on Wednesday practiced for the first time since he broke a bone in his right leg Sept. 20 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gallery was limited in his participation, but it's a start for a player considered the linchpin of Oakland's offensive line.
Erik Pears replaced Gallery initially, but an injury to right tackle Cornell Green compelled coach Tom Cable to move Pears to Green's spot, starting center Chris Morris to left guard and Samson Satele from the bench to center.
The Raiders have used a makeshift line the past five games and have anticipated Gallery's return for some time.
"We'll just try to build up from that," Cable said of Gallery's limited return. "We'll see how he is (today)."
Wide receivers Chaz Schilens (foot) and Nick Miller (shin), running back Darren McFadden (knee), Green (calf), tight end Tony Stewart (chest), defensive end Greg Ellis (knee), quarterback Bruce Gradkowski (flu) and linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba (flu) did not practice.
Ellis, Schilens and Gallery are the only aforementioned injured players with a chance of playing Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. Ellis' condition is chronic and prevents him from practicing much, though he hasn't missed any games.
Cable said there's a concern whether Gradkowski, Ekejiuba and others contracted swine flu.
"The first thing is, we're making sure it's not that," Cable said. "We're doing all the tests and everything to make sure you don't have those symptoms, specific to that virus. This has just been a kind of 24-hour stomach flu."
The Cleveland Browns had 12 players stricken by the flu two weeks ago, and several of those players missed the game that week. At least one Houston Texans player contracted swine flu the week before the Raiders played them Oct. 4.
It's been more than six years since the Raiders last beat the Chargers. The streak has reached 12 games, a current league-high. Coincidentally, the New England Patriots are in the midst of a 12-game win streak against the Buffalo Bills, as are the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Browns.
Robert Gallery returns to Raiders' practice - ContraCostaTimes.com
