ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch practiced for the first time this week, an encouraging turn for a struggling secondary sorely lacking depth.
The news wasn’t as promising for Richard Seymour. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle has not played since injuring his hamstring on Nov. 4 and did not practice Friday after aggravating the same injury a day earlier.
The Raiders need all the healthy bodies they can get. The defense is already minus four starters from the opening day lineup, including middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who returned this week following a two-game team suspension.
Oakland has dropped six straight and is trying to avoid losing 11 or more games for the eighth time in the last 10 years.
