Raiders practice Wednesday without both starting safeties

The Raiders took the practice field for the first time since their 55-20 pounding in Baltimore on Sunday. But it wasn't just their pride that was injured, they also have a couple of banged up safeties.

Tyvon Branch and Matt Giordano were both missing from practice Wednesday with injuries.

Giordano was hit in the head following a late touchdown pass in the Ravens game and laid flat on the field for a moment as cornerback Ron Bartell motioned for help. He began to move and get up prior to any help arriving from the Raiders sideline which led many to accuse him of faking an injury. As it turns out, he did indeed suffer a concussion and his status for this week will remain in question until he is cleared to practice.

Branch suffered a neck injury at some point in the game as well although it is not clear when that occurred. The severity of it is uncertain as well.

If both safeties are out, it would mean some shuffling from the Raiders' secondary. Mike Mitchell would step in for Branch if he can't go and Michael Huff would very likely move back to free safety for Giordano.

If just one of them is out, Mike Mitchell might very well cover for either of them so Huff could stay at corner. With Shawntae Spencer having been placed on injured reserve, the team has no better cornerback options.

If Huff was to move back to playing free safety, Phillip Adams would take over as a starting corner opposite Ron Bartell.

With all this shuffling around that would need to happen, the progress of Branch and Giordano is worth monitoring throughout the week.

Also not practicing Wednesday were DT Richard Seymour (hamstring, knee), RB Darren McFadden (ankle), and RB Mike Goodson (ankle).

Brandon Myers was limited but practicing following the concussion he suffered last week.